Health inequities are “unfair, avoidable, and remediable differences in health status between countries and between different groups of people within the same country” (WHO, 2013, p 3).
COVID has revealed inequities that many in healthcare, some more than others, already knew existed. We’ve noted differences in who is exposed to and infected by COVID, who ends up in hospital or ICU, and who is able to or choses to follow public health guidance (masks, social distancing, vaccines). For example, Ontario data show a higher risk for COVID exposure and infection among racialized and low-income communities. As well, vaccine uptake is lower, and hesitancy higher among these same groups for whom there has been a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 outcomes, and in whom vaccination will prevent more infections and severe outcomes. Vaccine passports have been implemented to incentivize vaccination and reduce COVID risk in our communities. But does this public health intervention have the potential to further disparities? How do we reap the benefits while reducing the inequities?
Listen into this SPARK: Conversations podcast as we discuss COVID, Kids, and health equity with Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng.