Disparities in Perception among Socioeconomic Groups of Health Impact of COVID-19 and Government Responses

Abstract

This study compared how different population groups perceive the health impact of COVID-19 and the government’s responses to the pandemic. We observed variations in subjective health status changes and the prevalence of depressive symptoms after the onset of COVID-19. We also found variations in health behavior changes among different population groups following COVID-19. In terms of the appropriateness of the government’s responses to COVID-19 in the areas of medical quarantine, social quarantine, and socioeconomic policy, the ratings varied across population groups. Regarding the perception of recovery from COVID-19, population groups with lower physical and mental health levels or socioeconomic status were less likely to perceive their living standards as having returned to their pre-COVID-19 levels.