Economic Inequality Linked to Poor Pandemic Preparedness

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine identifies economic inequality as a stronger predictor of pandemic response effectiveness than traditional metrics like laboratory capacity.

Findings presented at the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro show that over 90 percent of the global population lives in countries with high levels of economic disparity.

The report recommends that nations address these vulnerabilities by implementing social protection programs, such as paid sick leave and cash transfers, to improve resilience against future health emergencies.