Equity in pandemic preparedness

Global Preparedness Monitoring Board calls for actions such as monitoring equity, building resilient healthcare systems, creating equitable frameworks, inclusive laws, better financing, and mitigating socio-economic impacts to ensure equity in pandemics.

Equity in the context of pandemics encompasses more than fairness and justice, which are fundamental values fostering trust and cooperation. It's also a necessity for human security, safeguarding not only health but also mitigating the inevitable impact of epidemics and pandemics on our economies and societies. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, policy and decision-makers now acknowledge that "nobody is safe until everyone is safe", but much more needs to be done to translate this concern into policy practice. 

The GPMB calls on countries, to: 

• Monitor the multiple facets of equity 
• Build resilient and equitable primary and community healthcare systems 
• Establish new global, regional and national frameworks for equity and enhance access to medical countermeasures 
• Adopt an inclusive approach in preparedness law, regulations, plans 
• Ensure more and better financing in Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response 
• Mitigate the social and economic impacts resulting from pandemic prevention and response efforts