Havana, September 16, 2021 (OPS) – As part of the activities of the Week of Well-being 2021, the virtual panel “Strategies to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on vulnerable populations in the Americas” has been developed, organized by Alliance of Public Health Associations of the Americas (AASPA). The objective of the meeting was to discuss the inequitable impact of measures to combat the pandemic on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, as well as the public policies and strategies implemented by States to mitigate the consequences. of the situation created by COVID -19.
Dr Alcides Ochoa Alonso, President of AASPA, welcomed the participants and expressed his satisfaction to share this activity and others related to the Week of Wellbeing, celebrated this year under the slogan “Building Communities with equity ”. He also underlined the collaboration of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) with the Alliance, and especially underlined the presence of Dr Isabella Danel, former Deputy Director of PAHO, who has always accompanied them in their main events. .
Four specialists participated in the session: academic Paula de Ouestra, from the Chilean Society of Health; Dr. Alena Valderrama, from the Canadian Public Health Association; Dr Luis Eugenio de Souza, from the World Federation of Public Health Associations; Dr Anulfo López, Alliance of Public Health Associations of the Americas; and Dr. Gerry Eijkemans, Head of the Health Promotion and Social Determinants Unit, PAHO.
In her presentation, expert Eijkemans explained how COVID-19 has exacerbated inequalities and shifted priorities towards work related to the pandemic response. Likewise, he commented on the public health measures promoted and the undesirable socio-economic effects they have had, in particular among groups in vulnerable situations; such as informal sector workers, migrants, indigenous people, people living in overcrowded conditions and in remote and poor settlements or rural areas. “Not everyone is affected the same way by COVID-19,” he said.
In general, the presentations highlighted the great health inequalities experienced by countries in the region and specific population groups; a phenomenon that has worsened considerably during the current pandemic. Likewise, proposals for a strategy for its mitigation were presented.
Without a doubt, this was an excellent opportunity to promote reflection on the need for greater social justice, and to join voices in the call to the richest nations to contribute to the least developed countries, with the intention to help them strengthen actions in favor of protection. Emphasis was placed on the importance of promoting efforts that promote universal access to public health, education and information. All this from a paradigm shift that advocates inclusion, leaving no one behind.
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