Emergency Readiness
Health emergency readiness is patchy and fragile.
Many countries remain underprepared for health emergencies. Gaps in International Health Regulations (IHR) capacities and rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threaten global stability. Developing countries face the greatest challenges due to weak systems, underfunding, and limited laboratory and surveillance infrastructure.
Insights
Political: Since COVID-19, global cooperation on health threats has weakened. Implementation of the IHR remains inconsistent, and many fragile states still lack the governance structures needed to manage health emergencies effectively.
Economic: Investments in preparedness and AMR containment are often deprioritized—despite being cost-saving long term. Many low- and middle-income countries lack fiscal space to build resilient systems.
Social: Public trust in health institutions has been weakened, and efforts to involve communities in risk reduction and early warning systems are often limited.
Technological: Early warning tools exist but depend on data-sharing, lab capacity, and interoperability—often lacking in the highest-risk settings.
Legal: IHR obligations are not consistently enforced. Cross-border coordination on outbreak response and AMR control is weak or politically sensitive.
Environmental: Climate shocks, displacement, and urbanization amplify outbreak risks. Many vulnerable areas lack even basic detection and containment systems.
Reflective Questions
How can early warning systems be adapted to local contexts in low-resource or high-risk areas?
What approaches can help tackle AMR while also strengthening everyday healthcare services?
How can funding for preparedness move away from reactive aid toward long-term, country-led investment strategies?
Related Insight Cards
References:
United Nations, 2024. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024. New York: United Nations. Available at: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2024/
