The importance of social determinants: How inequality makes pandemics more deadly – Materia Rinnovabile | Renewable Matter

Report on the Impact of Social Determinants and Inequality on Pandemic Outcomes in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Health Inequity and its Link to Global Crises

An analysis of global health crises, such as pandemics, reveals that mortality and morbidity are not distributed equally. Social and economic inequalities are significant drivers that exacerbate the lethality of such events. The existing global financial architecture perpetuates disparities between nations, creating conditions where health outcomes are predetermined by socio-economic status rather than by public health capacity. This situation directly contravenes the core principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly those goals focused on health, equality, and poverty reduction.

2.0 The Central Role of Social Determinants in Achieving SDG 3

The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age are the primary drivers of health. These “social determinants” are critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). During a pandemic, these factors determine exposure, vulnerability, and access to care.

• Economic Stability: Directly impacts the ability to afford healthcare, nutritious food, and secure housing, undermining SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Living Conditions: Overcrowded housing and lack of sanitation increase transmission risks, highlighting a failure to meet targets within SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Occupation: Low-wage essential workers often face higher exposure risks with inadequate protection, a challenge related to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

3.0 Inequality as a Barrier to Sustainable Development

The disproportionate impact of pandemics on marginalized communities underscores the urgent need to address Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Inequality is not merely a social issue but a critical public health threat that destabilizes societies and economies.

3.1 National and International Disparities

Inequality manifests at two primary levels, both of which are amplified by the global financial system:

1. Inequality Within Countries: Disparities in income, education, and access to resources create vulnerable populations that bear the brunt of health emergencies.
2. Inequality Between Countries: The global financial architecture often limits the capacity of low- and middle-income countries to invest in robust health systems, social safety nets, and pandemic preparedness, undermining SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

4.0 Strategic Recommendations for a Health-Equity-Focused Future

To build resilience against future pandemics and advance the Sustainable Development Goals, a fundamental shift is required. Society must transition towards a model that prioritizes health equity, allocating resources proportionally to need.

4.1 Policy Imperatives

• Strengthen Public Health Systems: Invest in universal health coverage and primary healthcare infrastructure, ensuring equitable access for all, in line with SDG 3.
• Reform Global Financial Architecture: Advocate for international financial systems that support debt relief and public investment in social determinants of health for developing nations, reinforcing SDG 10 and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
• Integrate Health Equity into All Policies: Implement policies across all sectors—including housing, education, and labor—that actively reduce social and economic inequalities and improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

Based on the article’s title, “The importance of social determinants: How inequality makes pandemics more deadly,” and its subtitle, “The global financial architecture exacerbates disparity between countries: we must move toward a society that prioritizes health proportionally to each person’s needs,” the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are directly addressed:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The core theme revolves around health outcomes, specifically how pandemics become “more deadly” due to external factors. The call to “prioritize health” places this SDG at the forefront of the discussion.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article explicitly names “inequality” and “disparity between countries” as central problems. It analyzes how social and economic disparities, exacerbated by the “global financial architecture,” impact public health, directly linking to the goal of reducing inequality within and among countries.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: While not mentioned by name, poverty is a primary social determinant of health. The discussion of inequality and disparity implies that those in lower economic strata suffer disproportionately, connecting the article’s themes to the goal of eradicating poverty.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The article’s focus on health, inequality, and global systems allows for the identification of several specific targets:

1. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.” The article’s premise that pandemics are made “more deadly” by inequality points directly to the varying capacities of countries (especially in the “Global South,” a keyword) to manage health crises.
2. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.1: “By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average.” The focus on “inequality” and “disparity” implies a concern for the economic well-being of the most vulnerable populations, whose poor health outcomes are linked to their economic status.
   • Target 10.4: “Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.” The critique of the “global financial architecture” is a direct call to reform the policies that create and sustain economic disparities between nations and individuals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress, even if it does not cite specific data points:

• For Target 3.d: The article’s central argument implies the use of comparative health outcome data. An implied indicator is the disparity in mortality rates from pandemics between high-income and low-income countries or between different socioeconomic groups within a country. This would measure the real-world impact of unequal capacity to manage health risks.
• For Target 10.1: The mention of “disparity between countries” suggests that progress could be measured by tracking economic indicators that reflect this gap. An implied indicator is the Gini coefficient or the ratio of income/wealth held by the richest 10% versus the poorest 40%, both within and between countries.
• For Target 10.4: The critique of the “global financial architecture” implies a need to measure policy changes. A relevant indicator would be the level of development assistance and financial flows to developing countries, as well as the implementation of social protection floors or policies that mitigate the health impacts of economic shocks on vulnerable populations.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: renewablematter.eu