Health and Public Health Implications of COVID-19 in Asian Countries

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on population health in Asian countries. Compared to European countries, Asian countries, in general, experienced much fewer COVID-19 cases and deaths. The underlying factors in this difference would include the earlier and more stringent nonpharmaceutical interventions, differences in the age structure, the geographical characteristics in Asia, and the experience of past outbreaks of emerging diseases, though further studies are needed to investigate the exact mechanisms. Still, regarding the aim of developing resilient health?care systems, there remain several lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic experience in Asian countries that could inform more effective management of future pandemics.