DESCRIPTION

The spread of COVID-19 has laid bare inequities and disparities in global societies. The virus is not a great equalizer, but rather has disproportionate impacts across various social, age, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural groups. Social determinants of health have created inequities and disparities in infection rates and severity of the outbreak in specific populations including among the elderly, indigenous, racial and ethnic minorities, the impoverished, sex workers, and other vulnerable or marginalized populations. Supporting marginalized and vulnerable populations requires policies, programs, and investments that specifically address (1) social and economic vulnerabilities, (2) physical health vulnerabilities, and (3) behavioral health vulnerabilities.