The Canadian policy response to COVID-19: What’s in it for health equity?
Available in English, with French-language summary (pages 11–16)
This report from Ruckert et al. examines how federal and provincial policies/programs (March 15–October 21, 2020) — designed to support Canadian individuals, businesses, sectors, organizations, provinces/territories in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and stimulating economic recovery post-pandemic — addressed social determinants of health (SDH). The resource also explores long-term impacts of pandemic measures on health equity.
The authors examine the following using a conceptual framework to differentiate between direct health impacts and indirect SDH impacts:
- How SDH influence differential risk of COVID-19
- Differential impacts of public health measures
- Equity-concerned policy areas
Federal and provincial policy analyses
The authors provide analyses of federal and provincial policies (and their impacts) in the following areas:
- Income and social status
- Employment and working conditions
- Education, literacy and early childhood
- Food insecurity
- Housing
- Social protection
- Health services
- Indigenous peoples
- Gender and sexuality
- Disability
- Race/Racism
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the existing health inequities in Canada. Policies and programs implemented during COVID-19 demonstrate a shift from a market-driven, socioeconomic development model, demonstrating the opportunity for systemic transformation. Questions remain about reform moving forward into a post-pandemic era.
Use this resource to
- understand the impacts of COVID-19 policies and program on SDH;
- learn about using a COVID-19 and SDH framework; and
- reconceptualize or plan post-pandemic policies that address SDH.
Reference
Ruckert, A., Shedeed, E., Hillier, S. & Labonté, R. (2021). The Canadian policy response to COVID-19: What’s in it for health equity? Research enabling platform 4. University of Ottawa and York University. https://global1hn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/G1HN_Equity-Report_19.01.21_3.pdf
Related resources
- How Ontario is responding to COVID-19 (2020)
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Vulnerable populations and COVID-19 (2020)
- Who’s missing out? COVID-19 supports and benefits rapid analysis (2020)
- Broadbent Institute resources and responses to COVID-19
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Indigenous communities (2020)
Tags: COVID-19, Participate in policy development, Document, Report / Document