The Corona epidemic has affected health globally in many ways. While people were seen to be at higher risk of serious diseases during the infection, the problems of Long Covid persisting for a long time in the recovered people are increasing the concern for health experts.
Studies have found that traces of the virus can be present for more than a year in people who have recovered from Covid, apart from this, problems related to the heart, lungs, and brain are being seen in patients in Long Covid. A recent study conducted to know the side effects of COVID-19 has cautioned about another serious health risk of it.
In the study, experts said that the COVID-19 epidemic has reduced the average life expectancy of people around the world by about 1.6 years. Health experts said this is one of the most serious side effects of Covid.
The pandemic has reduced life expectancy
Researchers examining data from the US-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) said global life expectancy had been improving significantly over the past few decades, although the pandemic has dramatically altered this increase.
Austin Schumacher, the lead author of the study published in the journal The Lancet, says the COVID-19 pandemic's side effects for adults around the world are far greater than anything seen in the last half-century. Corona has not only increased the risk of many diseases in Long Covid but it is also reducing the average age of humans.
Death rate increased among men and women
This study was conducted during the year 2020-2021. In the analysis, an attempt was made to understand its impact on the health of people in 204 countries. Researchers estimate that during this period the mortality rate of people above 15 years of age has increased by 22 percent in men and 17 percent in women. Mexico City, Peru, and Bolivia are the places that have seen the largest declines in life expectancy.
What do researchers say?
Researchers said, compared to 2019, about five lakh children under five years of age died during Corona in 2021. IHME researcher Hamwe Hamwe Qi says the worldwide Corona epidemic has alerted about increased health problems in different countries.
Researchers estimate that Covid was responsible for 15.9 million additional deaths during 2020-2021. This epidemic has harmed health in many ways. Its long-term side effects are still being seen. The risk of corona has been seen in people of almost all ages.
(PC: ANI)
