Publication type
Parliamentary Paper
Publication date
February 23, 2021
Summary:
Key points: Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study, is a world-leading longitudinal survey of continuity and change in UK life. In April, we began a regular new survey to look at the impact of coronavirus on the UK population. The NHS defines people as clinically extremely vulnerable if they are undergoing treatment such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy for various forms of cancer (or if they have a number of other long-term conditions, or a disability such as Down’s syndrome). An increased risk of depression has been observed in patients being treated for cancer of the breast, prostate, and blood, but not other cancers (such as lung, and melanoma). People living with cancer are at increased risk of developing depression during COVID-19, and feelings of isolation help explain this. These findings have implications for health promotion and intervention work and how best to support people in this vulnerable group. There is also significant evidence of an association between longstanding illness or disability (LSID) and loneliness in young adults (16-24 years old), suggesting these individuals are at an increased risk of loneliness. The research concluded that this could be a focus for future public health interventions. There was an increase in volunteering and community action during the first lockdown, and many older people received more help with daily activities, especially shopping. However, the majority reported ‘no change’ in support received, a quarter reported receiving no care from outside the household, and one in ten of those with two or more care needs reported receiving less help than before. Older people with more moderate needs may slip under the radar of the formal safety net, and unmet need may rise, resulting in a heightened risk of falls and other visits to A&E.
Subjects
Links
- https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1003/covid19-supporting-the-vulnerable-during-lockdown/publications/
- https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1003/covid19-supporting-the-vulnerable-during-lockdown/publications/
- https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/22682/pdf/
Related Publications
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Covid 19: supporting the vulnerable during lockdown. Fifty-third report of session 2019–21. Report, together with formal minutes relating to the report. Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 15 April 2021
Parliamentary Paper - 20210421
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