Abass Ali Ramozi*, Ali Ahmad Yousefi**, Qasem Rezaee
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had profound and wide-reaching impacts on global public health and economies, with significant regional variations. This meta-analysis examines these impacts, focusing on mortality, long-term health effects such as Long COVID, and the pandemic's economic consequences, especially in vulnerable sectors.
Methodology: This meta-analysis systematically reviewed 45 peerreviewed studies from 2020 to 2023, examining the pandemic's public health and economic impacts globally. Studies were sourced from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Data on mortality rates, healthcare system strain, mental health disorders, and economic performance were extracted, analyzed, and synthesized. Special attention was given to disparities between high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middleincome countries (LMICs), particularly regarding healthcare access, fiscal responses, and economic recovery.
Results: Public health systems were overwhelmed worldwide, with the highest mortality rates recorded in the Americas and Europe. Long COVID affected 10–30% of recovered individuals, contributing to ongoing healthcare burdens. Mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, increased by 25–30% globally. Economically, global GDP contracted by 3.5% in 2020, with the most severe declines in tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors. Job losses were concentrated in vulnerable groups, especially in LMICs, where recovery was slower due to limited fiscal resources and vaccine access.