---
id: "coronavirus-smarter-crowdsourcing:supporting-marginalized-populations"
type: "GovLab topic page"
title: "Supporting Marginalized and Vulnerable Populations"
url: "https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/supporting-marginalized-populations"
summary: "What are the best strategies to address disparities caused or exacerbated by the pandemic?"
source: "The GovLab (coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org)"
licence: "Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)"
---

# Supporting Marginalized and Vulnerable Populations

What are the best strategies to address disparities caused or exacerbated by the pandemic?

[RECOMMENDATIONS MEMO](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AfYgNj7yR9NM_HkDV5ZKw8PiOhySaSeiIMwdOzkglio/edit?usp=sharing) [CONFERENCE TAKEAWAYS](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T3Mzh9EsQrhaqJ6ZlgWF3i8p4ekAn87qp_tSMy-ka5Y/edit?usp=sharing)

## 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.

[READ THE PROBLEM DESCRIPTION](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C8_PpxUYFsD-mmwEvo86LiVRxwafLfFF5jR2tBgH6gc/edit?usp=sharing) [READ THE REGIONAL REPORT](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HcUbF9yljpDd-hq87VTjSitX7_5W6f8IPn1M--1i7ew/edit?usp=sharing) [AGENDA AND LOGISTICS](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kppv5FJx2QnXyxssFKyxHcHNRjfcy0qeePQIirum_J8/edit?usp=sharing) [EXPERTS AND PARTICIPANTS](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TQfHcbIWBQCXGGFEbfQ11Zb4ypxckypzuY4Nyj7A0AE/edit?usp=sharing)

## RECOMMENDATION

[

Improve Data Management

Improve data management (collection, storage, and analysis) processes to support evidence-driven programs and policies that identify vulnerable populations and account for their needs.

](https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/recommendations/improve-data-management)

[

Establish Public-Private Partnerships

Establish Public-Private Partnerships that support vulnerable populations by filling service delivery gaps that community-based organizations, governments, and NGOs struggle to execute efficiently working on their own, while also benefiting the private institutions by providing them with financing and other resources.

](https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/recommendations/establish-public-private-partnerships)

[

Engage the Public and Civil Society Organizations

Engage the public and civil society organizations to support vulnerable populations by capitalizing on existing knowledge and expertise, leveraging local assets and resources, building trust with intended beneficiaries, and strengthening the capacity of communities.

](https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/recommendations/engage-the-public-and-civil-society-organizations)

[EXPLORE THE RECOMMENDATIONS](https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/recommendations)