The COVID-19 crisis has laid bare systemic inequities that will have to be addressed if we are ever going to build more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive societies. It has shown us that inadequate public-health capacity in one place can become a problem for people everywhere. And it has reminded us that the poorest and most vulnerable always bear the brunt of our collective failures.
In getting back to health, it is critical that these communities be at the heart of our recovery efforts. Society-level crises are occasions for starting anew, rethinking old assumptions, and leveraging human ingenuity and creativity. Tragically, the pandemic has set back the sustainable development agenda in countless ways. Yet by shining a spotlight on issues that can no longer be ignored, and by restoring science to its proper place at the center of our decision-making processes, the crisis can – indeed, must – serve as a wake-up call.
At our upcoming event on global health and development, leading experts will examine the immediate legacy of the pandemic and explore solutions for bringing all communities and societies back to health.
