Health Inequalities in the Time of COVID-19 : The Globally Reinforcing Need to Strengthen Health Inequalities Research Capacities
Cash-Gibson, Lucinda (Universitat Pompeu Fabra)
Pericàs, Juan M. (Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron)
Martinez-Herrera, Eliana (University of Antioquia)
Benach, Joan (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Date:	2021
Abstract:	The full impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is yet to be well established; however, as the pandemic spreads, and early results emerge, unmet needs are being revealed, and pressing questions are being asked about who is most affected, how, where, and in what ways government responses might be exacerbating inequalities. A number of scholars have called for more in-depth critical research on COVID-19 and health inequalities to produce a strong empirical evidence based on these issues. There are also justifiable concerns about the scarcity of health-equity actions oriented analyses of the situation and calls for more empirical evidence on COVID-19 and health inequalities. A preliminary condition to establish this type of information is strong capacity to conduct health inequalities research. Worldwide, however, this type of capacity is limited, which, alongside other challenges, will likely hinder capacities of many countries to develop comprehensive equity-oriented COVID-19 analyses, and adequate responses to present and future crises. The current pandemic reinforces the pending need to invest in and strengthen these research capacities. These capacities must be supported by widespread recognition and concern, cognitive social capital, and greater commitment to coordinated, transparent action, and responsibility. Otherwise, we will remain inadequately prepared to respond and meet our society's unmet needs.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	COVID-19 ; Health inequalities ; Research capacity strengthening ; Health policy
Published in:	International journal of health services, Vol. 51 (march 2021) , p. 300-304, ISSN 1541-4469

DOI: 10.1177/0020731421993939
PMID: 33684016

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