The effects of COVID-19 and related restrictions on health service use in New Brunswick
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Date
2025-01
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New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted New Brunswick’s healthcare system, forcing providers to rapidly adapt to increasing medical demands. While the direct effects, such as surges in hospitalizations and the need for PPE, have been widely reported, the pandemic also caused indirect disruptions in healthcare utilization. Many individuals delayed seeking non-emergency care, leading to declines in outpatient visits, elective procedures, and screenings. These delays have had serious implications, particularly for those with chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, as well as disruptions in cancer screenings and treatments, potentially resulting in poorer health outcomes. Now that the emergency phase has passed, administrative data can be used to retrospectively analyze these impacts.
This research study compares healthcare use and outcomes before and during the pandemic across personal, household, and area-level characteristics to assess potential long-term health consequences and costs, particularly among vulnerable groups. Understanding the effects of delayed care will help inform future healthcare planning, including financial considerations and chronic disease prevention strategies. Additionally, identifying at-risk demographics and regions can guide efforts to expand targeted healthcare access, ensuring more efficient and equitable service delivery.