Young Adults' Hopes Regarding Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) Prevention and Management After the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Pandemic: Reflections From the NCD Child #YouthCOVIDCHAT Campaign

Nicola J Gray; Marie Hauerslev; George Msengi; Laura Lewis-Watts; Zulfiqar A Bhutta

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.07.022

Young Adults' Hopes Regarding Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) Prevention and Management After the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Pandemic: Reflections From the NCD Child #YouthCOVIDCHAT Campaign

J Adolesc Health. 2024 Jan;74(1):194-197. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.07.022. Epub 2023 Sep 22.

Authors

Nicola J Gray¹, Marie Hauerslev², George Msengi³, Laura Lewis-Watts⁴, Zulfiqar A Bhutta⁵

Affiliations

¹ NCD Child, Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; UNESCO Chair 'Global Health & Education', University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom. Electronic address: N.J.Gray@hud.ac.uk.
² NCD Child, Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Vestre Viken HF, Drammen, Norway.
³ NCD Child, Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Africa NCDs Network, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
⁴ NCD Child, Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ NCD Child, Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Global Health & Development, The Aga Khan University, South-Central Asia, East Africa and United Kingdom.

PMID: 37737752
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.07.022

Abstract

Purpose: The SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has left a massive global death toll in its wake. Associated restrictions, precautions and lockdowns have disrupted daily routines, which has been associated with social isolation and major health implications for the world's youth. This paper shares young adults' visions for life beyond the pandemic as it relates to the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Methods: NCD Child hosted a global Twitter campaign for young adults, some of whom are living with NCDs, to express their reflections on life beyond the pandemic. Contributions were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis.

Results: 52 responses from the campaign described six main themes: Health system strengthening; Access to care; Issues of sustainability, including the environment and the economy; Human rights, equity, and social issues; Mental health, and NCD prevention.

Discussion: Young adults expressed optimism about postpandemic life and emphasized the importance of comprehensive intersectoral approaches to create resilient health systems.

Keywords: COVID-19; Equity; Health systems; Human rights; Mental health; Noncommunicable diseases; Prevention; Universal health coverage; Young adult health; Youth participation.

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Communicable Disease Control
Humans
Noncommunicable Diseases* / epidemiology
Noncommunicable Diseases* / prevention & control
Noncommunicable Diseases* / psychology
Pandemics / prevention & control
SARS-CoV-2
Young Adult