Advancing Equity-Based Pandemic Preparedness Through Intersectional Analysis

Like previous pandemics, the effects of COVID-19 have not been experienced equally, with those already experiencing health inequities most effected. Despite concerted efforts to apply gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) within the COVID-19 response, Canada was ill prepared to address the unequal effects of the pandemic due to its lack of adequate consideration of health inequities within pandemic preparedness planning. This project aims to build off of ongoing research on the intersectional effects of COVID-19, to inform equity-based pandemic preparedness through innovative approaches to guidance and monitoring. Learnings from the COVID-19 response will be applied to the following objectives: A) to better understand public health policy opportunities and challenges related to mitigating the unequal effects of health crises in Canada; B) to develop guidance and monitoring tools for integrating intersectional analysis into pandemic preparedness. Applying an intersectional feminist approach, research will include scoping reviews, policy analysis and key informant interviews with civil society and policy actors. Outputs will include an equity matrix monitoring framework for pandemic preparedness and policy guidance on integrating intersectional analysis into preparedness planning. Outcomes will promote greater consideration of intersectional effects on priority populations within pandemic preparedness and improve resilience to future pandemics. Through the evolution and creation of tools focused on intersectional inequities and pandemic preparedness, this work will support systemic and policy changes towards pandemic-ready health systems and policy structures.