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  • COVID-19: transformative actions for more equitable, resilient, sustainable societies and health systems in the Americas

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Commentary
COVID-19: transformative actions for more equitable, resilient, sustainable societies and health systems in the Americas
  1. Carissa F Etienne1,
  2. James Fitzgerald2,
  3. Gisele Almeida2,
  4. Maureen E Birmingham3,
  5. Monica Brana1,
  6. Ernesto Bascolo2,
  7. Camilo Cid2,
  8. Claudia Pescetto2
  1. 1Office of the Director, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
  2. 2Department of Health Systems and Services, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
  3. 3Office of the Representative, Pan American Health Organization Representation, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  1. Correspondence to Dr James Fitzgerald; fitzgerj{at}paho.org

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003509

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    Summary box

    • COVID-19 has exposed structural deficiencies in health, social and economic policies and sectors in the Americas impacting the resilience of health systems and societies.

    • Due to the pandemic, the region of the Americas is facing unprecedented challenges in the health, economic and social sectors, intensifying inequalities already present in the region.

    • Strategic areas for priority action moving forward include (1) realignment of core values in favour of health and social development with economic development; (2) prioritisation of and investment in health, social cohesiveness, social development and protection, and (3) transformation of health systems based on primary health care.

    • Key actions that promote needed change comprise (1) elevating health as a priority, essential for human security, as a driver for economic and social development; (2) prioritising integrated policy development and planning; (3) transforming health systems to achieve universal health and human security; (4) investing in science, technology and innovation to ensure equitable access to medicines and other health technologies; (5) strengthening the essential public health functions and risk reduction and mitigation.

    Introduction

    The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in terrible loss of life, disproportionately impacting the poor and those with underlying health conditions, devastating lives and livelihoods as a consequence of its effect on economic activity. Weak health system responses, chronic and longstanding underinvestment, and inadequate policies to tackle the root causes of inequity that most affect those living in conditions of vulnerability to access needed health and social services have exacerbated the problem. In addition, this pandemic has confirmed the precarious relationship and interdependence of health and the economy in the context of a disease outbreak.1 2 The impact on economies and sustainable development is evident, with COVID-19 uncovering the structural deficiencies and inequities in access to health services and social protection. The region of the Americas, similar to the rest …

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