The Intersections of COVID-19 Global Health Governance and Population Health Priorities: Equity-Related Lessons Learned From Canada and Selected G20 Countries

• Main Authors: Muriel Mac-Seing (Author), Erica Di Ruggiero (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2107-6952; 10.3389/phrs.2024.1606052
• Keywords: COVID-19; equity; global health governance; population health priorities; Canada and G20; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Public Health Reviews, Vol 45 (2024)

Background: COVID-19-related global health governance (GHG) processes and public health measures taken influenced population health priorities worldwide. We investigated the intersection between COVID-19-related GHG and how it redefined population health priorities in Canada and other G20 countries. We analysed a Canada-related multilevel qualitative study and a scoping review of selected G20 countries. Findings show the importance of linking equity considerations to funding and accountability when responding to COVID-19. Nationalism and limited coordination among governance actors contributed to fragmented COVID-19 public health responses. COVID-19-related consequences were not systematically negative, but when they were, they affected more population groups living and working in conditions of vulnerability and marginalisation.Policy options and recommendations: Six policy options are proposed addressing upstream determinants of health, such as providing sufficient funding for equitable and accountable global and public health outcomes and implementing gender-focused policies to reduce COVID-19 response-related inequities and negative consequences downstream. Specific programmatic (e.g., assessing the needs of the community early) and research recommendations are also suggested to redress identified gaps.Conclusion: Despite the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, programmatic and research opportunities along with concrete policy options must be mobilised and implemented without further delay. We collectively share the duty to act upon global health justice.