Open AccessCovid-19 and Immunity in the Elderly
Author(s) -
Hom Nath Chalise,
Edwin Rosenberg
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of geriatric medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2630-5259
DOI - 10.30564/jgm.v2i1.2049
Subject(s) - pandemic , covid-19 , vulnerability (computing) , public health , meaning (existential) , population ageing , population , development economics , economic growth , political science , environmental health , medicine , psychology , disease , economics , infectious disease (medical specialty) , computer security , nursing , pathology , computer science , psychotherapist
Population ageing is an issue of worldwide importance. People are living longer due to advances in education, technology, medicine, food distribution, and public health. While the COVID-19 pandemic has significant global impacts, in many countries the elderlyface threats and challenges that are unique and disproportionately severe. One such threat is that aging results in a decline in immune function, meaning elderly bodies respond more slowly and less effectively to external threats like COVID-19. Responses at individual, family, community and societal levels should take into account the heightened vulnerability of older adults during this pandemic.