Mohammed A. Abahussain

Access to healthcare-defined as the ability to obtain timely and necessary medical services - is critical during public health emergencies. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (2020–2021) substantially disrupted routine healthcare delivery in the United States, particularly affecting racial and ethnic minority groups who already face barriers to care. While previous studies have examined disparities in COVID-related outcomes, fewer have assessed racial differences in access to care for non-COVID-19 conditions over an extended pandemic period. This study investigated whether race and ethnicity were associated with limited or delayed access to non-COVID-19 healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. We used cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from July 2020 to December 2021. The analytic sample included 40,955 U.S. adults aged 25 years and older. Survey-weighted logistic regression models accounting for the NHIS complex sampling design (strata and primary sampling units) were used to estimate associations between race/ethnicity and 2 binary outcomes: inability to obtain needed non-COVID-19 medical care and delays in receiving such care, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related covariates. Complete-case analysis was used due to minimal missingness. Sensitivity analyses using alternative weight rescaling produced substantively similar results. All results are based on the weighted sample; however, unweighted results are provided in the appendix. Among respondents, 13.8% reported being unable to access needed care, and 21.5% reported delaying care during the pandemic. After adjustment, American Indian/Alaskan Native and multiracial individuals were significantly more likely to experience barriers to care, with lower odds of receiving needed care (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.534–0.782) and higher odds of delay (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.247–1.813). Non-Hispanic Asian respondents were least likely to delay care (OR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.585–0.774). Racial and ethnic disparities in access to non-COVID-19 healthcare were observed throughout the pandemic period. The observed disparities are consistent with prior literature on inequities in healthcare access during public health emergencies and may help inform future research and policy discussions regarding healthcare access during future emergencies.

This study investigates the relationship between compliance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) emergency preparedness standards and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates in U.S. nursing homes. Given the severe impact of COVID-19 on nursing home residents, this research addresses how preparedness influences pandemic outcomes. Using publicly available datasets from CMS and FEMA covering the period 2017 to 2021, a retrospective and longitudinal analysis was conducted. Multiple linear regression analyses were employed to evaluate the association between emergency preparedness deficiencies (E-Tag citations) and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates, controlling for facility size, regional location, and ownership type. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. The results demonstrated a statistically significant association between emergency preparedness deficiencies and increased COVID-19 morbidity (P < .001, 0.06% increase per deficiency) and mortality (P = .035, 0.01% increase per deficiency), though the effect sizes were modest. Significant regional differences (P < .001) and impacts related to ownership type (P < .05) were also observed. There was no statistically significant relationship identified between a state’s history of federally declared disasters and compliance with emergency preparedness standards. Findings highlight the critical role of adherence to emergency preparedness standards in mitigating COVID-19 impacts in nursing homes. Despite modest effect sizes, even minor improvements in compliance could lead to substantial public health benefits. The study underscores the necessity for targeted training programs, robust emergency planning, and clear policy interventions to strengthen nursing home resilience for future public health crises. The study’s reliance on secondary data and potential reporting inconsistencies represent limitations that should be considered when interpreting the findings.

Childhood injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with mothers often being the first responders in such emergencies. In Saudi Arabia, despite high educational attainment, maternal preparedness for pediatric first aid remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning pediatric first aid in Riyadh, with a focus on identifying key gaps and informing interventions in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 385 mothers residing in Riyadh between May and September 2023. Data were collected through a structured and validated questionnaire available in Arabic and English, distributed via social media platforms. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pediatric first aid. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23, with descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis) employed to analyze group differences. The reliability of the instruments was measured using Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.867). The majority of mothers (69.2%) were aged between 20 and 40 years, and 66.1% held a university degree. While 97.4% of the respondents reported being aware of first aid, significant gaps in knowledge were observed. Although 76.8% of the participants knew how to apply pressure to a bleeding wound, only 42.3% correctly identified how to preserve a lost tooth, and just 12.3% knew the appropriate response to seizures. Mothers with formal first aid training had significantly higher knowledge scores (P < .01), and education level was a significant predictor of better knowledge (P < .05). Social media was the most frequently cited source of information (37.6%), followed by first aid training courses (27.4%). Despite high awareness, this study identifies substantial gaps in maternal knowledge of first aid for pediatric emergencies, particularly in managing specific situations such as seizures and dental injuries. These findings highlight the urgent need for structured first aid training programs tailored to mothers in Riyadh. Incorporating first aid education into Saudi Arabia’s public health initiatives, particularly Vision 2030, could significantly improve maternal preparedness and enhance child safety.

In a world increasingly vulnerable to environmental and health crises, sustainable healthcare systems are crucial. This study focuses on the resilience and sustainability of healthcare services in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, assessing their readiness to endure and adapt amidst disaster scenarios. Conducted through a cross-sectional survey involving 522 hospital employees, the research provides an in-depth analysis of various sustainability-related aspects of healthcare preparedness. This includes examining both structural and non-structural safety elements, standard operating procedures, staff training in disaster response, data security, and sustainable management of resources during emergencies. The results reveal a noteworthy commitment to sustainable disaster preparedness: 53.7% of hospitals, predominantly governed by the Ministry of Health, have implemented comprehensive disaster recovery plans. Furthermore, the study found a strong representation of female participants (54.2%) in these hospitals. A significant 64.1% of respondents confirmed the existence of disaster recovery plans in their workplaces, and an even higher percentage, 70.6%, reported receiving specific training in disaster response. These findings underscore the proactive efforts of Eastern Province hospitals in fostering a sustainable and resilient healthcare framework, demonstrating an approach that prioritizes preparedness beyond immediate crisis response. This proactive stance is pivotal in ensuring the continuity of healthcare services amidst the ever-evolving nature of global disasters.