Preparing for the aftermath of COVID-19: Shifting risk and downstream health consequences

Date of Review: September, 2020

Estes K. D., & Thompson R. R. (2020). Preparing for the aftermath of COVID-19: Shifting risk and downstream health consequences. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(S1), S31-S32.

This article discusses the possible long-term mental health issues that can arise or be exacerbated due to the pandemic.  Examples include: increased stress and anxiety due to economic fallout, causing people to lose their jobs and health insurance; burnout and PTSD from healthcare workers working on the front lines; and depression from ongoing social isolation. The authors recommending that the healthcare system begin preparing now for the aftermath of the pandemic.