Focusing on inequalities and assessing vulnerabilities in the field to combat COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the existing health inequalities and highlighted many gaps in the European health care systems. This contribution will focus on the concepts of vulnerability and multiple vulnerability, as both have been discussed in the European Commission's Expert Panel on effective ways of investing in health (EXPH). The EXPH is the interdisciplinary expert group established by the European Commission to provide non-binding independent advice on matters related to effective, accessible and resilient health systems, to inform national policy making in improving the quality and sustainability of health systems, and to foster EU level cooperation towards improving information, expertise and the exchange of best practices. The equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, will be discussed as a public health and policymaking challenge, incl. in the context of socioeconomic determinants in relation to vaccination hesitancy. A list of actions to minimize the effect of pandemic in terms of health inequalities and vulnerabilities, including the role the integration of public health with primary care, with due consideration to the perception of risk, health literacy and risk communication. Special mention will also be made to the European Commissions' effort to develop comprehensive expert reports to inform policy making on key topics with due consideration to vulnerable populations and multiple determinants.