Menna Komeiha, Iryna Artyukh, Oluwasegun J Ogundele, Q Jane Zhao, Notisha Massaquoi, Sharon Straus, Fahad Razak, Benita Hosseini, Azza Eissa, Mathieu Isabel, Andrew D Pinto
Urgent policy interventions are needed to mitigate the negative impacts of future health care crises on low-income individuals. Implementing livable wage mandates and paid sick leave policies could facilitate equitable recovery.
OBJECTIVES: This scoping review examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income populations in Canada.
METHODS: We conducted the scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and adhered to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines for reporting. The review included studies focusing on generally healthy, low-income populations residing in Canada. The definition of low income varied among the included articles.
RESULTS: A total of 7,054 citations were screened, resulting in six peer-reviewed studies selected for data extraction and analysis. The grey literature search produced ten reports that were included. Findings resulted in three categories: (1) COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates, (2) impact on mental health, and (3) impact on social determinants of health.
CONCLUSION: Urgent policy interventions are needed to mitigate the negative impacts of future health care crises on low-income individuals. Implementing livable wage mandates and paid sick leave policies could facilitate equitable recovery.