IAP joins the launch of the Global Sustainable Health Equity Movement

Why focus on health equity?

The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated health inequities, with a disproportionate impact on already vulnerable populations, both within and among countries and regions. These communities have less access to healthcare because of profit-driven systems, and lack of health systems preparedness for the pandemic. They will also experience an inequitable impact in the aftermath of the pandemic.

How did the movement start?

On 21 April 2020, the founding members sent an Open Letter to H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. The letter called for a comprehensive, global ethical response to the pandemic, based on the ethical principle of equity to support for the most vulnerable populations worldwide, in addition to voicing strong support for the actions of the UN and WHO’s leadership in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who is involved in the Sustainable Health Equity Movement?

The movement grew out of the concerns of more than 160 global, regional and national entities, representing around 20 million professionals and more than 500 advocates for the right to health, including former heads of state and former ministers of health. The Interim Steering Committee for the movement include:

•    The letter drafting and coordination team
•    World Federation of Public Health Associations – WFPHA
•    Latin American Alliance of Global Health – ALASAG
•    The InterAcademy Partnership – IAP
•    World Federation of Critical Care Nurses – WFCCN
•    World Medical Association – WMA
•    International Association of National Public Health Institutes – IANPHI

What are the aims of the global launch event?

1.    Highlight the role and importance of sustainable health equity in the response to the pandemic and beyond
2.    Reiterate the initiative’s support for the UN and WHO as ethical global leaders to guide the comprehensive response to the pandemic and its aftermath.
3.    Launch of the Sustainable Health Equity Movement, by bringing together all entities, organisations, and individuals who endorsed the open letter to the UN.

What is the importance of the event?

The event will put the spotlight on the unacceptable global health inequities that have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that it is within our collective power to address these inequities. The event will be addressed by UN and WHO leadership, as well as members of the interim steering committee of the movement.

The event will he hosted at the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s zoom platform.

2 July 2020 - from 8:00-9:30am (New York time) - 2:00 to 3:30pm (Geneva Time)

Please register in advance for this webinar:
https://umassmed.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FO7JKXMNSyublj6KM2gVtw