Briefly describe the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., When did it start? How do confirmed cases, case fatality rate, and testing vary in different regions?)
• Number of confirmed cases in low-mid income countries is lower, bc
○ Low rates testing
○ Lower median age of population
○ High rates infectious disease (cross-immunity)
○ Experience dealing with other outbreaks (methods in place for contact tracing)
Explain, with specific examples, how the COVID-19 pandemic may increase risk for food security and hunger (especially in low- and middle-income countries)
COVID exposes vulnerability of already fragile food systems. strategies to contain virus –> food shortages and lack of access to nutrition support services (i.e. school lunches) that marginalized groups rely
risk that as nations strive to control virus, gains made in reducing hunger/malnutrition will be lost
* Consequences of pandemic disrupt food supply chains * Loss of income as result * Rising food costs * Especially problem in low and middle income countries, where ppl spend greater proportion of income on food
Explain how malnutrition can worsen COVID-19
malnutrition confers risk
- undernutrition –> weaker immune system, increase risk/severity infection
- overnutrition –> poor metabolic health assoc. with worse outcomes
Describe how strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19 can have negative impacts on health and nutrition for children
lessen health care capacity, healthcare services not addressing challenges faced by children/nutrition
food shortages due to strategies for virus containment
Comment on ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequities
- COVID does not treat us equally: ppl who already experience inequality (poverty, conflict, displacement, minorities, women & children, marginalized) are more affected by virus and strategies to contain
COVID exposes disparities in healthcare
- healthcare capacities vary throughout world
- way less ICU beds in Africa vs Canada (1:30 / 100000)
- preventative services not integrated into healthcare
Identify priorities for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that will protect children from unintended health risks
strengthened coordination, alignment, financing, and accountability within food/health system
- coordinated efforts from national govt, civil society organizations, international
- requires political commitment and investment
promote Vit D intake, might reduce risk COVID
impact of shifting to sustainable diets, consider if food guides should prioritize sustainable diets
sustainable diets = reductions in early death, reductions in amount of land used for crops and freshwater use, big reductions in GHG
yes, guides should. benefits to sustainable diets (health, reduced GHG, cost savings) = HUGE. require change to make big population shift
describe food waste, how amounts/patterns vary in global contexts
approx. 1/3 of food produced is wasted
30% of world’s agriculture land is used to produce food not eaten
6% global GHG from waste
Canada: waste 3% of GDP (more than combined GDP of world’s 32 poorest countries).
In USA/UK, large proportion waste at home/municipal. in developing countries, larger proportion in infrastructure related on-farm (i.e. no fridge)
implications of food waste, possible solutions “now what”
from most –> least prefered
- source reduction (reduce volume surplus food)
- feed hungry ppl (donate extra)
- feed animals
- industrial uses
- composting
- incineration/landfill
in what ways is PNG vulnerable to COVID19, ex of strategy to reduce negative impact
- malnutrition is common
- high rates stunting, wasting
- many ppl living in poverty
- not very high rates of following WHO breastfeeding
- 100% reliance import for cereal grain
strategy: Song produced to create awareness for COVID, promote handwashing, social distancing
Use a particular conceptual model to explain how COVID-19 increases risk for food insecurity and impacts health and healthcare
worsens pre-existing basic factors (economic disparities, health disparities, fragile food systems)
- stresses the health care system, increases demand for food aid, results in job loss/economic crisis
- increases underlying/immediate causes
