Health inequities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are significant. They have long prevailed, and the COVID-19 pandemic is only adding to the heavy burden of inequality according to a new report launched today by the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, with support from the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research and Institute of Health Equity at University College London. The report was presented by the Chair of the Commission, Sir Michael Marmot. The meeting was also addressed by WHO’s Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Regional Director Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, His Excellency Minister of Health of Oman Dr Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al-Saidi, and UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Mr Ted Chaiban.
The report, Build back fairer: achieving health equity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, provides ground breaking insights into the state of health inequities in the Region and urges countries to take action to address the social determinants of health to reverse the worsening trend of inequity – aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflict, mass movements of people, environmental challenges, gender inequities and unemployment.
The report builds on the work of the global Commission on the Social Determinants of Health established by WHO in 2008 and of other regional commissions (in Europe and the Americas) and provides a more contextualized analysis of determinants relevant to the Eastern Mediterranean Region, such as migration and conflict, in addition to the social, political and environmental determinants which impact health and well-being throughout the Region.
The Commission has recommended key policy actions to address health inequities and promote social justice and fairness.
Their report covers:
- Health inequities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
- COVID-19 and health inequalities
- Conflict and consequences and migration
- Economic drivers and health equity
- Culture and society
- Climate change, the natural environment and health equity
- Equity in maternal and child health, the early years and education
- Working lives and health equity
- Healthy ageing
- Built environments and health equity
- Health systems for health equity
- Governance and taking action to build back fairer.
WHO’s Regional Director Dr Al-Mandhari noted that, “In recognizing the inequities in health and their social determinants ‘building back fairer’ will mean making health and social systems more equitable to achieve our regional vision of health for all by all. The way ahead entails ensuring universal coverage of basic health services and establishing mechanisms for financial protection to shield people against the negative consequences of ill-health. And ending discrimination against women is a prerequisite for better social determinants of health in any society. These social determinants need to be addressed in the COVID-19 response and in responses to conflict, and in addressing underlying inequities and bringing together conflicting sides we can pave the way to build back better, build back fairer”.