COVID-19, Influenza and Youth: CDC Reports Child and Young Adult Mortality | COVID 19

More than ever, the role of parents or caregivers involves helping children and adolescents in fighting both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections. As the flu season approaches and the pandemic continues, we provide insights into parents’ worst nightmares of flu and COVID-19 mortality.

Understanding the potential scale of challenges in combating deadly respiratory infections remains a top priority in managing our daily lives in a pandemic. It is important to consider the potential impact of experiencing influenza and SARS-CoV-2 at the same time.

In rare cases, children may die of the flu. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2004 and 2018, childhood influenza-related child deaths ranged from 37 to 188 per year.

One exception during this period is noteworthy. Between April 2009 and September 2010, the intensification of the H1N1 pandemic resulted in 358 childhood influenza-related deaths. The CDC reported that nearly 80% of these childhood deaths occurred among children who were not fully vaccinated.

The CDC, however, said not all childhood influenza-related deaths have been reported. To address this limitation, they have developed a statistical model to estimate the actual number of deaths. For example, between 2017 and 2018, 188 influenza-related deaths were reported to the CDC. However, their model estimated that nearly 600 flu-related deaths occurred during this period.

There is more information about the influenza virus than SARS-CoV-2. This is because the influenza virus has been widespread for many years. A Recent CDC report Discusses the impact of COVID-19 on people under the age of 21 who make up about 26% of the US population. This report tracks SARS-CoV-2 cases from 50 states in New York City, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands. Between February 12 and July 31, 391,814 COVID-19 cases occurred under the age of 21 and the first case was reported in March and the first death was reported.

During this period, 121 COVID-related deaths were recorded among people under the age of 21, 45% were Hispanics, 29% were non-Hispanic blacks, and 4% were Native Americans or the United States. He was an Alaskan. 70% of the 121 deaths occurred in people aged 10 to 20 years, with people aged 1 to 9 accounting for 20% of the total. In addition, men accounted for 63% of deaths.

Of the 121 deaths discussed in this study, 25% (30) reported no underlying health problems and 75% (91) had at least one underlying condition. However, 45% (54 people) had at least two. The most common underlying conditions included asthma, obesity, neurological and developmental conditions, and cardiovascular problems.

The findings suggest that black Hispanic and non-Hispanic groups are disproportionately affected by the virus among younger populations. While providing useful snapshots, studies are limited because case-based surveillance data underestimate cases of COVID-19 compared to total case reports from the state. In particular, race / ethnic case fatality rates cannot be compared and race / ethnic case fatality rates cannot be calculated. This limitation indicates the need for additional research related to the effects of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic groups.

As the flu season arrives, it is imperative that schools, universities, community partners and healthcare providers work together to reduce the negative effects of social determinants of health. Insurance, childcare, transportation, or paid sick leave.

In addition, young people experiencing crowded living conditions, food and housing insecurity, poverty, educational inequality and racism increase the risk of COVID-19 inequality. Individual and collective investment is required to avoid and survive respiratory illness between our youth and young adults.

Read this CDC report at https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6937e4.htm?s_cid=mm6937e4_w.

William F. Tate IV is Vice President of Academic Affairs and President of the University of South Carolina. A prominent professor of the Education Foundation in the Department of Sociology and Family and Preventive Medicine. Find him on Twitter @ WF Tate4.

Kally Xu is John B. Ervin Scholar and Gephardt Institute Civic Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis and is a candidate for the George Warren Brown School of Social Work 3-2 Masters of Public Health and AB programs. International and Area Studies and Asian American Studies.