Economic Impacts of Infectious Disease Outbreaks and Pandemics
Population health is one of the most important aspects of a country’s macroeconomics. Over the past decades, numerous outbreaks and pandemics of infectious and non-infectious diseases have occurred, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza H5N1, swine flu H1N1, Ebola, and COVID-19. These have directly or indirectly affected the macroeconomic health of the U.S. and the global economy.
For example, after the SARS outbreak in 2003, there was a significant decline in the tourism market. After the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decline in economic activity in many countries around the world (Behsudi, 2020). Many businesses and firms were on the verge of collapse, and many people lost their jobs.
National and Global Healthcare System Responses
National and international health systems have been essential in helping cope with infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics. One of the primary methods of combating these diseases is to ensure access to quality health care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries invested in equipment and medical services to better support health care and to provide affordable and accessible health services (Health authorities of the Americas discuss their response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the 75th World Health Assembly, n.d). Another method is to provide awareness of the disease and its symptoms. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, governments and public health officials issued a host of informational pamphlets and advertisements to warn people about the disease and provide them with instructions on prevention and treatment.
Interactions Between Healthcare Systems and Economic Outcomes
The economy and health systems did affect each other during outbreaks and pandemics. For example, health care funding must be sufficient to support proper diagnostic methods and ensure enough health care workers to serve the sick. Another example is economic policy changes, such as tax credits for health care organizations, which help the government provide more affordable health care to the public.
Finally, disease risk factors in the form of public anti-epidemic protective measures and prevention of disease transmission play an essential role in controlling infectious diseases. For example, many governments have taken steps to limit gatherings, establish distance education, and close some businesses and services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these measures helped limit the spread of infectious disease and protect the population. Also, many governments took steps to promote the use of personal protective equipment to protect people from infectious diseases. All of these risk factors help prevent the spread of the disease and help improve public health.
References
Behsudi, A. (2020). Impact of the pandemic on tourism – IMF F&D. IMF; International Monetary Fund. Web.