Covid Spread Around the World
The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare systems around the world, having a knock-on effect
on the diagnosis and treatment of other diseases.
Social distancing and lockdowns have reduced diagnosis rates of infectious diseases such as seasonal
influenza, as would be expected with reduced social contact.
However, individuals have avoided seeking help for other health problems due to lockdowns and
avoidance of medical settings, leading to reduced diagnosis and treatment despite the problem still
being there. Meanwhile, even in diagnosed cases, treatment for diseases and conditions such as
cancer had to be postponed in many cases due to the immediate threat of COVID-19 consuming health
systems and their resources.
Scientific research around the world has also focused on COVID-19, potentially delaying research and
breakthroughs on other diseases.
