Tackling inequalities to strengthen pandemic responses

Evidence-based advocacy and hope

The Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics gathers evidence on the link between inequalities and pandemics, and it brings that evidence directly to world leaders along with recommendations for innovative approaches. In 2024 and 2025, the Council is engaging with the G20 and other global forums on: the social determinants of pandemics; access to medicines, vaccines and other health technologies; creating fiscal space for pandemic responses; and the critical role of communities in pandemic responses.

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Inequality drives pandemics

Many of the same social and economic inequalities that drive HIV, COVID-19, and MPox, will drive future outbreaks.

Lessons learnt from inequality-busting approaches demonstrated in the AIDS pandemic can guide how we can beat all pandemics, and new inequality-focused responses to AIDS will make the world more prepared.

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Long-acting ARVs and the pandemic inequality Cycle

Rethinking access

The world may look back on 2024 as a pivotal time in the fight against AIDS — the start of a revolution in the global biomedical response to HIV using long-acting antiretroviral medicines. These new drugs are the closest thing to a vaccine that the world has today, and they could support long and healthy lives for people living with HIV.

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Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics

Effective pandemic response is multidisciplinary.

That is why global experts from academia, government, civil society, international development and the creative arts are coming together to advance evidence-based solutions to the inequalities which drive AIDS and other pandemics.

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About inequalities

The COVID-19 crisis has shone a light on the danger of pandemics; social crises have shone a light on the danger of inequalities. The good news is that both challenges can be overcome – if they are confronted as one.

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We can beat pandemics and we can protect the health of all if we are bold in tackling inequalities, if we place human rights at the centre of our response.

Winnie Byanyima UNAIDS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Facts about inequality

Countries with higher rates of income inequality have higher rates of death of COVID-19, of AIDS deaths, and of HIV infection.
During COVID-19, while high-income countries put billions into health and social spending to fight the pandemic’s effects, in 2021 almost half of all developing countries cut health spending, and about 70% cut spending on education.
Around the world gay men are more likely than other men to be living with HIV. How much more is determined by policy.