COVID-19 and social vulnerabilities: observations and outlook for a more sustainable management

Abstract

Historically, pandemics have produced higher rates of infection and mortality among the most disadvantaged communities. The current COVID-19 pandemic does not deviate from this observation, in that disproportionately high mortality rates are observed in the poorest territories. These inequalities result from three main, often cumulative factors: differentiated vulnerability to the epidemic, higher risks of exposure to the virus due to living conditions and poorer access to healthcare and prevention. This article examines these aspects and explores the potential consequences for health inequalities of the lockdown, re-emphasizing the importance of considering social inequalities in public health policies.