These conclusions are found in a report commissioned by UNAIDS, resulting from two years of research conducted by the Global Council on Inequalities, AIDS, and Pandemics, led by experts including 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economics Joseph Stiglitz, former Namibian First Lady Mónica Geingos, and epidemiologist Michael Marmot.
“High levels of inequality, both within and between countries, are linked to the transformation of disease outbreaks into pandemics, and inequality is undermining national and global responses, making pandemics more disruptive to the economy, more deadly, and prolonging their duration,” the document states.
The report shows that “in turn, pandemics increase inequality,” perpetuating a cycle observed during global health crises like COVID-19, as well as AIDS, Ebola, flu, smallpox, and other diseases.
Experts warn that “the failure to address fundamental inequalities and social conditions since COVID-19 has left the world extremely vulnerable and poorly prepared for the next pandemic.”
The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, “pushed 165 million people into poverty, while the richest people in the world increased their wealth by more than a quarter,” they emphasize. Inequalities are “a political choice, and a dangerous one that threatens everyone’s health,” stated Monica Geingos, as cited by UNAIDS in a statement.
The authors of the report urge world leaders to improve pandemic preparedness by investing in “social protection mechanisms” in their countries while also addressing global inequality issues, particularly through restructuring the debt of developing countries.
“Pandemics are not just health crises; they are economic crises that can exacerbate inequalities if leaders make the wrong political choices,” Stiglitz asserted.
“When efforts to stabilize economies affected by a pandemic are financed by high-interest debt and austerity measures, they deprive health, education, and social protection systems of resources. Societies then become less resilient and more vulnerable to epidemics,” argued the 2001 Nobel Prize winner in Economic Sciences.
In Stiglitz’s view, “breaking this cycle requires ensuring that all countries have the necessary budgetary capacity to invest in health security.” The report also advocates for more equitable access to health treatments and technologies, calling for the “immediate suspension of intellectual property rights” globally as soon as a pandemic is declared.
Joseph Stiglitz is also set to present a report on global inequality and poverty to G20 leaders, representing the world’s largest economies, who will meet at a summit in Johannesburg at the end of November.
