The Canadian Policy Response to COVID-19: What’s in it for Health Equity?

Speaker: R Labonté, A Rückert

Ronald Labonté is Co-lead of the Global One Health Network, and Professor and Distinguished Research Chair, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa.
Arne Ruckert is Research Coordinator of the Global One Health Network and Senior Researcher, Globalization and Health Equity Unit, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa.

The COVID‑19 pandemic is worsening health inequities worldwide. Canada is no exception. Some population groups are disproportionately affected due to pre-existing vulnerabilities. These groups also face heightened risk through public health and governance interventions to control its spread (e.g. economic lockdowns, physical distancing). Governments in Canada responded to the pandemic with significant new funding and policy initiatives. How well did these initiatives address heath inequities embedded in the social determinants of health? Join Prof. Ronald Labonté and Dr. Arne Ruckert as they discuss findings of their recent study that analyzed government policies and programs announced between March 15 and October 21, and what this means for Canadian policies going forward.

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