Digital Exclusion and COVID-19: Does Communication Technology Correlate with Wellbeing?

Aim: To explore the implications of digital use on the wellbeing of older people during the pandemic. Method: 33 adults aged 70 and above responded to an online and phone survey, a communication technology usage questionnaire, and the Personal Wellbeing Index-Adult (PWI-A). A Spearman test determined the correlation between frequency of communication technology usage and wellbeing. Results: A significant medium correlation (r=.488, p=.004) was found between frequent digital communication usage and a higher average score on the PWI-A. Significant correlations were found between frequent technology use and health satisfaction (r=.377, p=.03), a sense of personal security (r=.404, p=.02), and a sense of future security (r=.597, p <=.001). Of all the communication platforms, video calls and emails yielded the most significant positive correlations with personal wellbeing. Conclusion: Results suggest that frequent users of communication technology felt greater levels of wellbeing and life satisfaction during the pandemic than non-frequent users.

Enhancing Pandemic-Sensitive Recruitment Strategies for a Remote, Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial for Fracture Prevention in Patients with Neurodegenerative Parkinsonisms

Objective: To develop a diversified recruitment model for the ongoing Trial of Parkinson's and Zoledronic Acid (TOPAZ) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: TOPAZ is a home-based trial examining the efficacy of zoledronate in preventing fractures in people with neurodegenerative parkinsonisms, who have up to 4-fold increased fracture risk. Design/Methods: Consent is obtained online (https://www.topazstudy.org). After eligibility is determined by movement disorders specialists using medical records and/or telemedicine, study drug is infused by research nurses at home. Fractures are ascertained by email or telephone. The 2/2020 onset of recruitment coincided with COVID-19 restrictions, with a nearly 7 months pause. To randomize 3,500 participants by 12/2023, we developed multiple methods to recruit potential participants via: 1) 46 Parkinson Study Group (PSG) sites, 2) 11 health care systems with integrated research networks, 3) community outreach organizations (i.e. support groups, social media, newsletters, etc.), 4) outreach by the Parkinson's Foundation (PF), 5) Fox Trial Finder (FTF), and 6) the 23andMe Parkinson's disease research program. Results: By 10/1/2021, 2002 had registered on the website, 1333 consented, 992 were eligible per expert diagnostic confirmation, and 632 were randomized, exceeding our goal of 600 for 9/30/21. Registered participants came from the multiple sources: 1) 609 (27.7%) from PSG sites, 2) 529 (24%) from health care systems with integrated research networks, 3) 213 (9.7%) from community outreach, 4) 34 (1.5%) from PF, 5) 16 (0.7%) from FTF and 6) 601 (27.3%) from 23andMe. The largest source of recruitment was PSG. A single study invitation emailed from 23andMe to its 19,733 PD research participants led to nearly the same number of referrals as PSG but in only a few weeks'time. Conclusions: Using diverse referral sources to the TOPAZ study website, we are succeeding in achieving enrollment targets for a Parkinson's trial amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Monetary policy within a covid-19 environment: The role of central banks and the main challenges for the euro-zone1

The last financial crisis in 2008 has weakened the Euro-zone countries. Most of them were deeply affected, and their economic growths have not returned to their pre-crisis rates. Moreover, the inflation rate is still very low despite the European Central Bank’s interventions. Twelve years later, a health crisis occurred. The ECB have reacted to this event by using monetary tools. We can cite for example the famous temporary Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP) to save the Euro-zone countries from a systemic disaster. The current interest rate is negative, and it seems to raise some questions about the efficiency of policies and the threat to economic, monetary, and financial stability. Negative interest rate may also generate the next crisis. This paper is dedicated to recommendations based on the role of Central Banks in the health crisis management and, more generally, environmental crisis management instead of evaluating the impacts of the monetary policies on Eurozone countries because it is too early to measure with acuity the COVID-19 effects. © 2021, University of National and World Economy. All rights reserved.