Social Determinants of Health

2. As predicted, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased health inequities and undermined key social determinants of health. COVID-19 morbidity and mortality within countries has disproportionately affected: poorer people; marginalized ethnic minorities, including indigenous peoples; low-paid essential workers; migrants; populations affected by emergencies, including conflicts; incarcerated populations; and homeless people.1 Access to COVID-19 vaccination has been very unequal. The disruption to health systems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed hard-won gains on immunization. There is increasing evidence of how the broader impacts of the pandemic have undermined previous gains in education, poverty reduction and gender equality.