Health & Fitness

1.5 Million Kids Lost A Caregiver To Coronavirus: Study

Researchers from the CDC, WHO and others warned deaths will likely mount and have long-term consequences on kids.

Megan VerHelst's profile picture
Megan VerHelst, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
A recent study published in The Lancet revealed that more than 1.5 million kids worldwide have lost a parent, grandparent or caregiver to COVID-19.
A recent study published in The Lancet revealed that more than 1.5 million kids worldwide have lost a parent, grandparent or caregiver to COVID-19. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

About 1.5 million children worldwide have lost a mother, father, grandparent or other caregivers to COVID-19, according to a new study published this week in the medical journal The Lancet.

The study analyzed deaths during the first 14 months of the pandemic, The New York Times reported. The estimates were collected using death statistics and other data for 21 countries accounting for more than 76 percent of COVID-19 deaths worldwide.

Researchers also noted that deaths are likely to grow, which could have long-term traumatic effects on children, including mental health problems, abuse, chronic diseases and poverty.

Find out what's happening in Across Americafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Read more via The New York Times

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Across America