The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical weaknesses in global health systems, highlighting deep-rooted socioeconomic disparities and systemic vulnerabilities. Lower-income communities, particularly ethnic minorities, faced dispro-portionately higher infection and mortality rates due to overcrowding, limited healthcare access, and occupational expo-sure. Additionally, resource-limited settings and conflict-affected regions, such as Syria, encountered severe challenges in managing the pandemic due to fragile healthcare infrastructures. The pandemic also emphasized the role of community-driven interventions and the necessity of equitable healthcare policies. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed studies, policy reports, and public health data to examine the interplay between socioeconomic disparities, healthcare accessibility, and pandemic outcomes. A systematic search of relevant literature was conducted to identify key factors contributing to health inequities during COVID-19, with a focus on healthcare workforce shortages, international migration, and the effectiveness of preventative measures. Findings indicate that lower-income populations experienced higher morbidity and mortality rates due to structural inequities in healthcare access and social determinants of health. The global shortage of healthcare workers, exacerbated by international migration, further strained health systems, particularly in low-resource settings. In conflict-affected regions, fragile healthcare infrastructures struggled to contain the virus. Community-driven interventions, including vaccination campaigns and localized public health initiatives, played a critical role in mitigating disease spread. However, systemic barriers persist, limiting the effectiveness of these mea-sures. Addressing global health inequities requires a multifaceted approach that integrates economic policies, healthcare reforms, and international collaboration. Strengthening primary care, investing in healthcare workforce retention, and re-ducing socioeconomic disparities are essential for building resilient health systems. The pandemic underscores the urgent need for structural reforms to enhance global pandemic preparedness and promote equitable health outcomes worldwide.
COVID-19: a global health system unfit for purpose
DIOGUARDI, Mario;DI COSOLA, Michele
2025-01-01
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical weaknesses in global health systems, highlighting deep-rooted socioeconomic disparities and systemic vulnerabilities. Lower-income communities, particularly ethnic minorities, faced dispro-portionately higher infection and mortality rates due to overcrowding, limited healthcare access, and occupational expo-sure. Additionally, resource-limited settings and conflict-affected regions, such as Syria, encountered severe challenges in managing the pandemic due to fragile healthcare infrastructures. The pandemic also emphasized the role of community-driven interventions and the necessity of equitable healthcare policies. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed studies, policy reports, and public health data to examine the interplay between socioeconomic disparities, healthcare accessibility, and pandemic outcomes. A systematic search of relevant literature was conducted to identify key factors contributing to health inequities during COVID-19, with a focus on healthcare workforce shortages, international migration, and the effectiveness of preventative measures. Findings indicate that lower-income populations experienced higher morbidity and mortality rates due to structural inequities in healthcare access and social determinants of health. The global shortage of healthcare workers, exacerbated by international migration, further strained health systems, particularly in low-resource settings. In conflict-affected regions, fragile healthcare infrastructures struggled to contain the virus. Community-driven interventions, including vaccination campaigns and localized public health initiatives, played a critical role in mitigating disease spread. However, systemic barriers persist, limiting the effectiveness of these mea-sures. Addressing global health inequities requires a multifaceted approach that integrates economic policies, healthcare reforms, and international collaboration. Strengthening primary care, investing in healthcare workforce retention, and re-ducing socioeconomic disparities are essential for building resilient health systems. The pandemic underscores the urgent need for structural reforms to enhance global pandemic preparedness and promote equitable health outcomes worldwide.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
