Rethinking the Central Role of Equity in the Global Governance of Pandemic Response

J Bioeth Inq. 2020 Dec;17(4):549-553. doi: 10.1007/s11673-020-10001-2. Epub 2020 Aug 25.

Abstract

Our initial response to COVID-19 has been plagued by a series of failures-many of which have extended inequity within and across populations, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The global health governance of pandemic preparedness and response needs to move further away from the advocacy of a one-size-fits-all approach that tends to prioritize the interests of high-income countries towards a context-sensitive approach that gives equity a central role in guiding our pandemic preparedness and response strategies.

Keywords: COVID-19; Equity; Global health; Governance; Pandemics.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / therapy
  • Delivery of Health Care / ethics*
  • Developed Countries
  • Developing Countries
  • Global Health / ethics*
  • Government
  • Humans
  • International Cooperation*
  • Intersectoral Collaboration*
  • Moral Obligations
  • Pandemics / ethics*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Social Justice*