Pandemic Threat Isn’t Just the Virus — It’s Inequality
Science has made remarkable progress in combating disease. We can now sequence viruses in days, develop vaccines within months, and detect outbreaks almost instantly. Despite these advances, pandemics are appearing more frequently, spreading faster, and causing greater loss of life and economic damage than ever before.
Matthew M. Kavanagh, director of the Georgetown University Center for Global Health Policy and Politics, explains that the critical issue is not whether we can out-innovate microbes, but why we keep failing despite advanced technology.
"One key reason is that rising inequality is making the world more vulnerable to disease—and every pandemic, in turn, deepens inequality."
Addressing inequality is essential to preventing pandemics, as science alone cannot solve the underlying social and economic factors that increase vulnerability.
Summary
The interplay between inequality and disease vulnerability means that reducing social disparities is crucial alongside scientific efforts to effectively prevent and control pandemics.