The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in nearly 7,000,000 deaths worldwide, was a catastrophic global health crisis. Its effects, although international, were not felt equally. Low income countries and marginalised people suffered disproportionately, and inequalities weakened countries’ ability to respond. This health inequality is not a new phenomenon. The AIDS pandemic, which has killed over 40,000,000 people in the last four decades, is a prime example of the inequalities and discrimination that marginalised communities suffer in the face of health crises. The experiences of those most affected by these diseases are a microcosm of the inequalities rife across the globe and, without solving these issues, pandemics will continue to overwhelm us. 

Intersecting inequalities give pandemics the conditions to thrive. Poor healthcare, sanitation and nutrition, create fertile ground for diseases to mutate and become international crises. 

However, through coordinated efforts to tackle these inequalities at their roots, pandemics can be overcome. How can leaders across the globe ensure that their strategies for closing these gaps are as effective as possible? Can the damaging societal attitudes that breed discrimination towards LGBT, ethnic minorities and those living in poverty truly be changed across the globe? If so, how?

This Digital Dialogue, hosted by the Financial Times, in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, explores the symbiotic relationship between global inequality and pandemics through the lens of the AIDS and COVID-19 crises. Panellists also discuss how the world can work to prevent devastating and discriminatory crises for good. 

Understand

the symbiotic relationship between global inequality and pandemics, through the lens of the AIDS and COVID-19 crises

Connect

and build relationships with global thought leaders, decision makers and stakeholders across healthcare, financial services, education and more

Discover

new approaches and strategies from global leaders to preventing these global health crises from happening again

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