Research Group on Health Inequalities, Environment and Employment Conditions, 16770Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain.
Pompeu Fabra University Public Policy Center, Johns Hopkins University, Barcelona, Spain.
Int J Health Serv. 2021 Jul;51(3):300-304. doi: 10.1177/0020731421993939. Epub 2021 Mar 8.
The full impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is yet to be well established; however, as the pandemic spreads, and early results emerge, unmet needs are being revealed, and pressing questions are being asked about who is most affected, how, where, and in what ways government responses might be exacerbating inequalities. A number of scholars have called for more in-depth critical research on COVID-19 and health inequalities to produce a strong empirical evidence based on these issues. There are also justifiable concerns about the scarcity of health-equity actions oriented analyses of the situation and calls for more empirical evidence on COVID-19 and health inequalities. A preliminary condition to establish this type of information is strong capacity to conduct health inequalities research. Worldwide, however, this type of capacity is limited, which, alongside other challenges, will likely hinder capacities of many countries to develop comprehensive equity-oriented COVID-19 analyses, and adequate responses to present and future crises. The current pandemic reinforces the pending need to invest in and strengthen these research capacities. These capacities must be supported by widespread recognition and concern, cognitive social capital, and greater commitment to coordinated, transparent action, and responsibility. Otherwise, we will remain inadequately prepared to respond and meet our society's unmet needs.
2019 年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）的全面影响尚未得到充分证实；然而，随着大流行的蔓延和早期结果的出现，未满足的需求正在显现，人们正在提出关于谁受影响最大、如何、在何处以及政府的应对措施以何种方式加剧不平等的紧迫问题。一些学者呼吁对 COVID-19 和健康不平等进行更深入的批判性研究，以基于这些问题提供强有力的经验证据。人们也对缺乏针对这种情况的以健康公平为导向的行动分析以及对 COVID-19 和健康不平等的更多经验证据表示担忧。建立这种类型信息的初步条件是进行健康不平等研究的强大能力。然而，在世界范围内，这种能力是有限的，再加上其他挑战，这可能会阻碍许多国家制定全面的以公平为导向的 COVID-19 分析以及对当前和未来危机做出充分反应的能力。当前的大流行加剧了对投资和加强这些研究能力的迫切需求。这些能力必须得到广泛的认可和关注、认知社会资本以及对协调、透明行动和责任的更大承诺的支持。否则，我们将仍然无法充分准备好应对和满足我们社会的未满足需求。
