A new report from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is suggesting that young people have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in ways that could have long-term impacts.
The report, which was released on Thursday by the BCCDC, summarizes how the pandemic has significantly disrupted the lives of 18- to 29-year-olds across Canada, while also outlining actions to help young adults recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to data from the BCCDC, young adults experienced the highest unemployment rates of any age group with rates tripling during the first pandemic wave.
The report highlights that young adults also experienced widespread disruptions to post-secondary education during the 2020-2021 school year. The BCCDC believes that this school disruption could have long-term impacts on career trajectories and employment.
The report, entitled Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Health and Well-Being of Young Adults in British Columbia, was commissioned by Dr. Réka Gustafson, Vice-President, Public Health and Wellness, Provincial Health Services Authority, and Deputy Provincial Health Officer, and informed by young adults across B.C. and Canada.
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“We are at a point in our COVID-19 recovery where we have the opportunity to counteract the disproportionate challenges and disparities faced by young adults during the pandemic,” said Dr. Gustafson. “We now have the research that shows that additional short and long-term support can help young adults as they re-establish their social connections, finances, careers, and secure their futures.”
According to project lead and co-author, Hasina Samji — a senior analyst with BCCDC — the report offers evidence that additional short-term support will help relieve some of the pressures on students, early career professionals, and young families, but more research in this space is needed.
“Ensuring there is a comprehensive monitoring system put in place will help to identify and address the long-term impacts of the pandemic on this young population, most importantly for those who were already disproportionately impacted before the pandemic,” said Samji, who is also an Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University.
“More research is needed to fully understand and take action on reducing inequities for racialized, Indigenous, and young people with disabilities that have been exacerbated during the pandemic.”
The BCCDC data says that young adults are twice as likely to report worsened mental health compared to adults over the age of 65.
Additionally, the data implies that impacts are compounded for those already experiencing the most stress and with the least resources, including racialized groups, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and young adults with disabilities, which may contribute to further health inequities.
The full report can be found on the BCCDC website.
Graham Cox
