Inequalities persist in Europe—and COVID-19 does not help

Multi‐mode standardization under extreme time‐pressure – the case of COVID‐19 contact‐tracing apps

“…A recent example of a key technology requiring standardization are COVID‑19 contact‐tracing apps (Sun and Viboud, 2020; Ting et al, 2020). This technology must be supported by standardization processes faster than the archetypical multi‐year processes, given that delays in effectively combating the COVID‐19 pandemic could lead to prolonged negative socio‐economic consequences (Nicola et al, 2020; Breeze, 2021). Contact‐tracing apps automatically record physical proximity between mobile phones (Ferretti et al, 2020), notifying users if they were in close contact with an infected person (McCall, 2020).…”

Social Determinants of Health and Disparities in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases

“…In HICs, racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension and CVD burden are evident, which are primarily attributed to inequities and undertreatment experienced by racial/ ethnic minority groups (Blacks, Hispanics, and Southeast Asians), resulting in poorer BP control and subsequently increasing CVD risk. 62,63 In the United States, 33% of the Black-White disparity in uncontrolled BP could be explained by SDOHs, including low-income, low education, disadvantaged neighborhoods, and residing in health professional shortage areas. 64 Poor Social Cohesion and Work-Related Stress Social isolation adversely affects health behaviors, cardiovascular risk factors, and mortality.…”

Socioeconomic inequalities in health – debates on the persistence

“…5 Progress in reducing health inequalities has, however, been modest and, based on some measures of health, inequalities have even increased over time. 6,7 This has launched a debate on the persistence of socioeconomic inequalities in health. Mackenbach 8 has called this one of the great disappointments of public health and has been puzzled by the lack of association between the generosity of welfare policies in a country and the magnitude of its health inequalities.…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates existing health inequalities since it affects to a higher degree lower socioeconomic groups. 2,7 First, the risk of morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 has been higher among persons with lower socioeconomic status due to, for example, overcrowding, fewer possibilities to work from home, as well as higher prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases and their risk factors such as smoking and obesity. Second, the restriction measures to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic have had more serious consequences for groups with lower socioeconomic status because of, for example, increased job insecurity, unemployment, and decreased access to healthcare for other reasons.…”