Impacts of the 2019/20 bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental health of older Australians: a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In 2019/20 major bushfires devastated Australia's East Coast. Shortly afterward the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. Older people are disproportionately affected by disasters and are at high risk from respiratory pandemics. However, little is known about how these events impact on older peoples' health and well-being and engagement with services such as primary care.

Objective

To explore the health impacts of the 2019/20 bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic on older Australians' health and well-being.

Methods

One hundred and fifty-five people aged over 65 years living in South-eastern New South Wales, Australia participated in an online survey. The survey measured the impacts of the bushfires and COVID-19 on physical and mental health and the capacity of olde

SUBMITTER: Halcomb E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10231380 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature