News Flash 452: Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

News Flash Links, as part of the research project PEAH (Policies for Equitable Access to Health), aim to focus on the latest challenges by trade and governments rules to equitable access to health in resource-limited settings

News Flash 452

Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

 

Top economists call for radical redirection of the economy to put Health for All at the centre in the run-up to G20

REFUNDACIÓN DE LOS SISTEMAS DE SALUD EN LATINOAMÉRICA Y EL CARIBE: DESCOLONIZAR LAS TEORÍAS Y POLÍTICAS

One Health and Well-Being – Inspiring a Global Unity of Purpose

Do we need a pandemic treaty? A civil society perspective. Launch of the G2H2 research report Geneva, 24 November 2021, 13.30-15.00 hrs CET

Recording: Do we need a pandemic treaty? A civil society perspective Monday, 25 October 2021

Do we need a pandemic treaty? A civil society perspective, Monday 25 October 2021: Introductory slide

SPOTLIGHT -THE WHO PANDEMIC TREATY: RESPONDING TO NEEDS OR PLAYING COVID-19 GEOPOLITICS?

Civil Society Leaders Question Pandemic Treaty’s Ability to Address Global Health Inequalities

M8 Alliance Declaration: From Words to Action World Health Summit 2021 | October 26, 2021

Webinar registration: Fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines: How can COVAX be saved? Oct 28, 2021 05:00 PM in Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Vaccine shortages prompt changes to COVAX strategy

Less Than 10% of Vaccine Dose Donations Promised to COVAX Have Been Delivered

US ‘Steps Aside’ to Give Africa Access to Moderna Vaccines

Opinion: Equal vaccine access isn’t charity, it’s our best tool

25 November 2021: Public stakeholder meeting on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics in the EU

10 Reasons Your Child Should Get Vaccinated for COVID-19 as Soon as Possible

Spikevax: EMA recommendation on booster

COVID-19: EMA starts rolling review of molnupiravir

License between Merck and Medicines Patent Pool for global production of promising new COVID-19 drug molnupiravir disappoints in its access limitations

MSF responds to BioNTech’s announcement that it will establish production facilities in African countries

World Watches UK COVID-19 Surge, and Parts of Europe Enter ‘Fourth Wave’

Access To COVID-19 Testing In Low- And Middle-Income Countries Is Still Critical To Achieving Health Equity

Living with COVID in a Transformed World by Brian Johnston

Snakebites and COVID-19: two crises, one research and development opportunity

In Ethiopia’s Tigray, only 1% of people needing food aid received it

Transforming Food Systems To Defeat Hunger

What is the aid sector’s carbon footprint?

Meeting registration: Civil Society and Community Engagements with COP26 Processes: Roles, Challenges and Expectations Oct 29, 2021 04:00 PM in West Central Africa

COP26: Document leak reveals nations lobbying to change key climate report

World On Course for 2.7°C Temperature Rise by 2100 – Even If All Current Climate Commitments Are Met

The 2021 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: code red for a healthy future

Citi analysts back new development bank to meet climate goals

Another Unenviable Annual Record for Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Scientists fear global ‘cascade’ of climate impacts by 2030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living with COVID in a Transformed World

Many politicians now appear to think that if they ignore increasing case rates, growing hospitalisations for COVID and daily death tolls reminiscent of war, the ogre that is COVID will somehow lose interest and go away, never to return. This is magical thinking, which links our fate to a “wait and see mentality.” It gambles the health and wellbeing of countless souls on the belief that if you hope for something to happen with enough fervour, the world will miraculously change for the better. Unfortunately, life is never that simple and the universe is governed by scientific principles centred around cause and effect

By Dr. Brian Johnston

Senior Public Health Specialist

London, United Kingdom

Living with COVID in a Transformed World

 

Across the world, the physical, psychological, social and economic impacts of the pandemic continue to manifest themselves in new and challenging ways, which stretch our ability to find adequate solutions. COVID-19 has been with us for a long time now and seems likely to remain an important and integral part of our collective experience for the foreseeable future.

People often describe “COVID fatigue” and express a bone numbing tiredness and lassitude in the face of the gnawing relentlessness of the pandemic. They continue to contract the virus, get hospitalised and die, but these effects have been largely mitigated through vaccination programmes, especially in developed countries. At the beginning of this year, the medical infrastructure of many countries strained under the onslaught of the virus and struggled to provide effective care to those unfortunate enough to become infected. More recently, the picture has changed – a dim light has replaced dismal darkness, but grey clouds gather on the horizon.

Internationally, the patchiness and inequality of vaccination programmes has left large parts of the world’s population without even a first dose. High numbers of unvaccinated individuals living in deprived areas, without adequate medical care or infrastructure, represents a real danger to us all. How can we consider ourselves safe when the virus can roam relatively unhindered within large populations of unvaccinated people? A new COVID variant taking root in such fertile soil could easily blossom into a florid catastrophe of breath-taking proportions.

From another perspective, the growing challenges of long COVID are now being recognised by health professions across the world, as was recently highlighted in an article in The Lancet journal: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01900-0

The aftermath and long-term implications of contracting and surviving COVID on multiple organ systems, remains an important area of research.

As our understanding of the long-term consequences of COVID grows, it seems increasingly likely that the virus will continue to affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of people for many years after the initial heat has gone out of the pandemic. This of course assumes that we can extricate ourselves from a persistent cycle of spikes in the number of excess deaths due to COVID -19. Perhaps the virus will become endemic in certain places, a constant presence in specific countries and an ongoing blight on the existence of the local populations. Only time will tell…

Whilst the economic damage created by the virus has serious health and financial implications for large sections of the community, the injudicious easing of restrictions has the danger of perpetuating the spread of infection and fanning the embers of the contagion.

Decision makers must find effective ways of combating COVID which place the minimum restrictions on individuals, whilst gaining the maximum benefits in terms of preventing the spread of the virus. This is a fine balance, which requires clear insight and sound judgement, based on high quality data at both a local and national level. Leaders need to be flexible and learn quickly from mistakes – shared learning, communicated in a clear and timely way, is central to this endeavour.

It is not enough for politicians to say that they are led by “the data” or by “the science.” Data is often subject to multiple interpretations depending on how it is analysed or reported, and science never speaks with a single voice, but from a multitude of competing perspectives, clamouring to be heard.

Vaccinations, whilst a great blessing, have led to a certain amount of complacency among some politicians and health decision makers dealing with COVID. It has been a tough journey for everyone affected by the virus over the past 18 months and some of the scars may never heal completely. The latent damage incurred by delayed operations, stress, mental illness and the economic impact on both jobs and businesses, is likely to continue for many years to come.

Against this background, the need for strong leadership coupled with a clear understanding of the current situation is of paramount importance. Learning from mistakes made in other countries is to be welcomed as it saves time, money and lives.

When change is destructive and threatening, like a stormy sea, it is not enough to float passively on the surface and hope to ride the waves until they eventually lose their energy. If COVID has taught us anything, it is that change can be quick and unpredictable. Challenges can come from places where you least expect them and remain hidden until the last minute, like shallow reefs beneath the surface.

The effects of some measures designed to restrict the spread of the virus have inevitably had economic repercussions and negatively impacted our mental and physical health. However, in the journey towards normality and a future no longer tainted by COVID, it would be unwise to abandon these measures entirely. Instead, a flexible approach which addresses the current dangers with reasonable solutions would seem to be the best path. If we run too quickly along a poorly lit road without adequate protection, we are in danger of stumbling or worse still, being cut to shreds by unseen forces before we can avoid them.

Human beings are complex and their behaviour when faced with existential threat can take a number of forms, which often makes things worse. Many politicians now appear to think that if they ignore increasing case rates, growing hospitalisations for COVID and daily death tolls reminiscent of war, the ogre that is COVID will somehow lose interest and go away, never to return. This is magical thinking, which links our fate to a “wait and see mentality.” It gambles the health and wellbeing of countless souls on the belief that if you hope for something to happen with enough fervour, the world will miraculously change for the better. Unfortunately, life is never that simple and the universe is governed by scientific principles centred around cause and effect.

Wearing masks, good ventilation, social distancing, washing hands and self-isolation have all been shown to be effective ways to curb the spread of the virus. This knowledge has been bought in blood and so it is not only unwise, but negligent, for decision makers to relax these measures without a full, comprehensive, ongoing and careful assessment of the risks involved. A flexible approach to the management of the pandemic is required if we are to negotiate the ever-present dangers created by the constantly changing landscape that is COVID-19.

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By the same Author on PEAH


Death in the Time of COVID


Unleashing the True Potential of Data – COVID-19 and Beyond
 

 

 

News Flash 451: Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

News Flash Links, as part of the research project PEAH (Policies for Equitable Access to Health), aim to focus on the latest challenges by trade and governments rules to equitable access to health in resource-limited settings

News Flash 451

Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

 

World Health Summit 2021: 24-26 OCTOBER 2021 BERLIN, GERMANY & DIGITAL

MPP’s Panel Discussion at the World Health Summit 2021

Enough is Enough: The Future is Public | Join seven human rights representatives for a unique and dynamic conversation on public services – 26 October 2021

Global Pandemic – Global Solution Oct 21, 2021 02:00 PM in Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Caring For Profit: A new research project by the European Network of Corporate Observatories explores the privatisation of hospitals and nursing homes in Europe

C20 Summit 2021 5.10 Fund creation tiredness.What’s the added value of a Global Health Threats Fund?

Lessons for a pandemic preparedness treaty from previous successes and failures with treaty-based technology transfer

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Weekly Update

Africa: Nearly 103 Million Covid-19 Vaccinations Administered Across Continent

Statement by President von der Leyen on vaccine exports

COVID IP Waiver: Latest EU Proposal Sidesteps Key IP Barriers like Trade Secrets and Data Sharing, Charges MSF

Can COVAX Finally Deliver on its Delayed Vaccine Promises?

Global Health Champion Germany From HIV to SARS-CoV-2. International virtual conference on December 1st, 2021

5 Reasons to Support the European Citizens’ Initiative No Profit on Pandemic by Julie Steendam

EMA starts evaluating use of COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty in children aged 5 to 11 

Audio Interview: A New Look at Covid-19 Vaccine Boosters

EMA starts rolling review of Evusheld (tixagevimab and cilgavimab)

COVID Moonshot funded by COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator to rapidly develop a safe, globally accessible and affordable antiviral pill

Tuberculosis deaths rise for the first time in more than a decade due to the COVID-19 pandemic

MSF warns of deadly TB testing gap following release of WHO Global TB Report 2021

Simple Breathing Can Transmit TB More Effectively than Cough – New Research Debunks Old Convictions About Transmission

Much Shorter Regimen for Drug-Resistant TB Shows Better Results

Taliban to restart house-to-house polio vaccinations in Afghanistan

US to Return to Controversial UN Human Rights Council

Myanmar’s hidden hunger

COP26: Barack Obama to attend climate change summit in Glasgow

Ahead of COP 26, philanthropic climate change pledge drive gains speed

Climate change: Carbon emissions from rich countries rose rapidly in 2021

Planned fossil fuel output ‘vastly exceeds’ climate limits, says UN

Global Health Community Calls for More Climate Actions Ahead of UN Climate Summit

World leaders urged to consider health benefits of climate action

‘Faster progress’ needed to meet UN climate goals, EU warns

Forests & Climate: We Need to do Much, Much More

A Hot Topic: The Role of US Development Assistance in Addressing the Climate Crisis

How the UK’s Comprehensive Spending Review risks jeopardising COP26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Reasons to Support the European Citizens’ Initiative No Profit on Pandemic

On 30 November, 2020, a number of European organisations, NGOs, trade unions, healthcare associations, political parties and student movements launched a European Citizens’ Initiative to demand clauses on equal distribution, affordability, accessibility and transparency of vaccines and treatments against Covid-19.

 This article highlights five reasons to support the European Citizens' Initiative 

Sign the initiative here: www.noprofitonpandemic.eu

  By Julie Steendam

Campaign coordinator

European Citizens’ Initiative Right to Cure – No Profit on Pandemic

 5 Reasons to Support the European Citizens’ Initiative No Profit on Pandemic

 

Ensuring fair and equitable access to safe vaccines and treatments is one of the biggest challenges of these times.

That’s why 375 European organisations have put their weight behind the European Citizens Initiative No Profit on Pandemic. Together, they have the ambition to encourage one million European citizens to sign a legislative proposal to the European Commission.

What is a European Citizens’ Initiative?

EU citizens have the right to address the European Commission directly via a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) in order to propose a concrete legislative amendment. When the petition collects one million signatures in at least a quarter of the EU Member States, the European Commission is legally obliged to respond to the demands. In other words: this is a powerful democratic tool. 

On 30 November, 2020, a number of  European organisations, NGOs, trade unions, healthcare associations, political parties and student movements launched an ECI to demand clauses on equal distribution, affordability, accessibility and transparency of vaccines and treatments against Covid-19.

Five reasons to support the European Citizens’ Initiative 

No. 1: Protecting everyone equally

In May 2021, the World Health Organization’s director called the current unequal access to Covid-19 vaccines a situation of ‘vaccine apartheid’. By September 2021, the richest nations, which make up just 13% of the world’s population, have administered 90% of all available vaccine doses.  If this trend continues, the poorest countries will simply not be able to vaccinate their populations by early 2023. At the current pace, some might even need another 57 years to get to 75% vaccination rate!

Facilitating access to vaccines for all those who need them is not only a matter of justice, it’s also a matter of common sense in the face of a global epidemic. We will only end the crisis once the emergence of new virus strains is controlled around the world.

No. 2: Ensuring transparency restores confidence

The unprecedented speed of the development of Covid-19 vaccines, often based on new innovative technologies, has provoked legitimate questions from members of the public. Their concerns must be answered with the utmost transparency.

However, the European Commission, which has received a mandate from the EU Member States to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies, remains dangerously opaque on the conditions of the contracts. We demand full transparency on the sale prices and on the results of research and clinical trials. This is a non-negotiable step for restoring the trust of citizens.

No. 3: Demanding public control over use of public money

 Since the onset of the health crisis, governments around the world have mobilised nearly US$10 billion in public funds for research and development of vaccines and other treatments against Covid-19.

But there are very few controls and conditions demanded in exchange for all these billions. Pharmaceutical companies remain free to set their prices on the sale of vaccine doses, which range from US$3 to more than US$30 per dose. Pfizer is shamelessly making a profit margin of 20-30%. At a time when millions of people are dying from Covid-19, and up to 500 million people worldwide could be pushed into poverty due to the economic consequences of the pandemic, such profits are unethical.

No. 4: Putting Cooperation before Competition 

The system of patents and intellectual property rights guarantee pharmaceutical companies a monopoly on their production, marketing and pricing. Despite the enormous need to accelerate vaccine production, only Pfizer has the exclusive right to produce its vaccine for the sole purpose of guaranteeing its profits.

This is the same system that for years has prevented millions of people living with HIV and AIDS from accessing life-saving treatments. This system must be challenged to allow all countries with the capacity to produce these vaccines to do so, especially since the big contributions of public money. Steps have been taken by India and South Africa at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to suspend intellectual property agreements. But the rich countries, led by the EU, have been opposing this for a year now. Are the benefits of pharma companies really worth more than our lives and health?

No. 5: People have the power 

As EU citizens, we have the power to change this situation. It was thanks to public pressure that the European Commission started to publish some of its contracts with pharmaceutical companies. And during the HIV crisis, massive public mobilisation forced pharmaceutical companies to drop their monopolies.

When we reach one million signatures, the European Commission will have to respond to our demands for transparency, accountability and equal access to these life-saving products. Together, we can make sure that everyone, everywhere is safe.

 

Sign the European Citizens’ Initiative today by going to www.noprofitonpandemic.eu

News Flash 450: Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

News Flash Links, as part of the research project PEAH (Policies for Equitable Access to Health), aim to focus on the latest challenges by trade and governments rules to equitable access to health in resource-limited settings

News Flash 450

Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

 

WHO: Public health round-up

Health policy and systems research for rehabilitation: a call for papers

Call for emergency action to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity and protect health

Webinar registration: Do we need a pandemic treaty? A CSO perspective 25 October 2021, 16.00-17.30 CEST

Webinar registration: Enough is enough: the future is public – Reclaiming public services for a just recovery 26 October 2021 04:00PM-06:00PM

Meeting registration: Stop Silencing The Global South 5pm, Thursday 14 October 

Multilateral finance in the face of global crisis

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Weekly Update

As time runs out to break ‘TRIPS Waiver’ stalemate, protesters at US and EU embassies in South Africa warn “The whole world is watching you.”

South Africa: CSO letters to the embassies of countries opposing the TRIPS waiver

A global approach to regulatory flexibility to increase manufacturing capacity during COVID-19

As COVAX disappoints, countries turn to home-grown jabs

EMA receives application for marketing authorisation for Ronapreve (casirivimab / imdevimab) for treatment and prevention of COVID-19

Brazil’s High COVID-19 Death Toll is Blamed on Government’s ‘Deliberate’ Spread of Virus

WHO backs third dose for people who had Chinese-made coronavirus jabs

Moderna plans to build mRNA vaccine manufacturing plant in Africa

Alignment of national COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant and lactating women

A Second, Silent Pandemic: Antibiotic Resistance

Research to support implementation of a malaria tool for remote Amazon populations

Breast cancer ‘rampant in Africa’

The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Intelligence Era: What Next?

3-5 November 2021: Fourth session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development

Agnes Kalibata: transforming food systems

Not Our Menu: False solutions to hunger and malnutrition – Right to Food and Nutrition Watch 2021

World Food Day: Climate Change is Exacerbating Hunger & Conflict—it’s Time to Break the Cycle

REGISTER NOW From Security to Solidarity: Diverse Perspectives Against Global Health Threats December 9-10, 2021

Webinar registration: Reimagining Solidarity: Time to rename aid, Uganda Nov 2, 2021 02:00 PM in Nairobi

Download here: COP26 WHO SPECIAL REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH THE HEALTH ARGUMENT FOR CLIMATE ACTION

Register here: 2021 Global Conference on Health and Climate Change 6 November 2021 Glasgow, UK

Live: Press briefing on WHO COP26 Special Report on Climate Change and Health

WHO’s 10 calls for climate action to assure sustained recovery from COVID-19

Two dozen countries announce commitment to EU-US global methane pledge

Report: Climate change philanthropy is rising, but not quickly enough

Asian Development Bank boosts 2019-2030 climate financing goal to $135 billion

‘Burning of Fossil Fuels is Killing Us’ – Declares New WHO Climate and Health Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Flash 449: Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

News Flash Links, as part of the research project PEAH (Policies for Equitable Access to Health), aim to focus on the latest challenges by trade and governments rules to equitable access to health in resource-limited settings

News Flash 449

Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

 

African Countries Finally Give Continental Medicines Agency the Go-ahead

A New Pandemic Treaty, Revised International Health Regulations, or Both? What is the Actual Roadmap?

HERA for public health or industrial policy in disguise?

HERA: will the EU lead global action against pandemics?

Working group on strengthening WHO preparedness and response to health emergencies

Over 250 organizations want stronger health-environment nexus

Clean environment could become U.N. human right. Not so fast, say U.S., Britain

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Weekly Update

One year on from the landmark “TRIPS Waiver” proposal, a small minority of governments continue to block the will of the majority of the world

COVID-19 Vaccine Redistribution to Save Lives Now

EMA: Safety of COVID-19 vaccines

Comirnaty and Spikevax: EMA recommendations on extra doses and boosters

World Bank to give $400 million to Nigeria for COVID vaccine funding 

New report shows leading Covid-19 vaccine pharma companies fuelling unprecedented human rights crisis

For unvaccinated, reinfection by SARS-CoV-2 is likely, study finds

Pfizer Vaccine Effective Against COVID-19 Hospitalizations for All Variants

MERCK SELLS FEDERALLY FINANCED COVID PILL TO U.S. FOR 40 TIMES WHAT IT COSTS TO MAKE

Indian Generic Companies Are Ready to Make Merck’s COVID-19 Antiviral Pill

EMA receives application for marketing authorisation for Regkirona (regdanvimab) for treating patients with COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide organ transplantation: a population-based study

WHO recommends groundbreaking malaria vaccine for children at risk

WHO’s Essential Medicines Committee takes aim at rising prices, adds new treatments for cancer care and diabetes treatment

IPHU Short Course on Gender, Justice and Health 29 October – 20 November 2021: Call for Applications (Applications are due on or before 10 October 2021)

DIGNITY AT MSF A REPORT BY DECOLONISE MSF ON ABUSE AND DISCRIMINATION AT DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

The 14th Platform for Roma Inclusion – an opportunity to bring inequalities to the political agenda

African Countries are the Focus of New Maternal Mortality Targets

The Tory ‘emergency fund’ is an admission that universal credit shouldn’t be cut

The Cut to Universal Credit in the UK is a Threat to the Health of the Most Deprived by Rebecca Barlow-Noone 

Exposing corporate capture of the UNFSS through multistakeholderism

Engineering Africa’s banana future

PEOPLE’S SUMMIT FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE 7-10 NOV

The new WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines: we must tackle air pollution now!

Europe’s net-zero flying pledge goes global

Less Overseas Coal Is Good, But Developing Countries Still Need More Electricity

Raising climate ambition at COP26

The Climate Briefing: COP26, the state of play

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cut to Universal Credit in the UK is a Threat to the Health of the Most Deprived

...The UK desperately needs a health and equity-focused recovery. By cutting Universal Credit and putting people into fuel poverty, the government is further entrenching health inequities which will be felt for years to come. This cannot be the way forward; the government must support those on low incomes to ensure health, especially through winter, is prioritised...

 By Rebecca Barlow-Noone

MSc Population Health student, University College London (UK)

 

The Cut to Universal Credit in the UK is a Threat to the Health of the Most Deprived

 

Millions of households in the UK rely on Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit (UC/WTC), which is due to be cut by £20 on October 6th 2021, back to pre-pandemic rates. Removing the uplift, at the height of an energy crisis, at the same time as stopping furlough, and with inflation up 3.2% since last August, is a risk to public health and is a damning reflection on the state of inequality in the UK.

Throughout the pandemic, we saw how existing health inequities left those in lower socioeconomic positions more at risk of Covid-19, as shown by the Institute of Health Equity. Areas with high levels of deprivation such as Greater Manchester had a 25% higher Covid-19 death rate than the England average from the start of the pandemic to March 2021, causing life expectancy to decrease.  Those living in crowded accommodation, with frontline work such as cleaning (who were also disproportionately from ethnic minority groups), and those who could not afford to self-isolate saw higher risk of mortality. Those relying on UC doubled, and demand for food banks went up 33% in 2020-2021 since the previous year, highlighting the extent of economic insecurity, even with the £20 uplift; putting food package demand at 128% higher than it was 5 years ago.

This makes it all the more shocking that UC will be cut as energy prices rise. It is well documented that cold, damp housing has direct health effects such as increasing vulnerability to respiratory illness and circulatory disorders, and indirect exacerbation of flu, arthritis and rheumatism. 30% excess winter mortality cases in Europe are suggested to be caused by cold housing by the World Health Organisation; a figure calculated before the effects of Covid-19 on excess winter mortality.

Furthermore, the fuel price increase will hit those most vulnerable to fuel poverty the most. Research by the Resolution Foundation found that the energy price increases are also set to disproportionately hit households receiving UC: the prepayment meter cap is due to increase by £153 to £1309, and a smaller increase of £139 to £1277 for default tariffs. As 4 out of 10 households receiving UC use pre-payment meters versus 1 out of 10 households without UC, the highest costs are more likely to be seen by those most vulnerable to fuel poverty. Together with the £20 cut and the loss of the furlough scheme, this makes the possibility of exacerbating fuel poverty rates, and the consequent risks to health, even more likely.

Concerningly, there has not been a formal evaluation of the effects of the UC cut by the UK government, as explained by the Work and Pensions Minister Baroness Stedman-Scott, because the uplift was deemed temporary; leaving the government unbound by the requirement to carry out an impact assessment. This leaves us to rely on think tank estimates, such as the Legatum Institute. They estimate the UC cut will push 840,000 more people into poverty. This is not simply an economic policy reversal; this is a threat to the health and wellbeing of almost 1 million people.

The UK desperately needs a health and equity-focused recovery. By cutting UC and putting people into fuel poverty, the government is further entrenching health inequities which will be felt for years to come. This cannot be the way forward; the government must support those on low incomes to ensure health, especially through winter, is prioritised. If the government can enthusiastically budget £106bn on the HS2 rail line and maintain its construction post-pandemic, extending the uplift (at an estimated at an annual cost of £6bn) doesn’t seem too much to ask.

Covid exacerbated health inequities; let’s not let policy decisions further entrench them.

 

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By the same Author on PEAH

The NHS Postcode Lottery: How the Decision-Making Power of Clinical Commissioning Groups is Preventing Standardised, Equal Access to the Abbott Freestyle Libre in England 

Novo Nordisk’s Changing Diabetes Aid Programme Exacerbates Issues of Insulin Access, and Must End for Compulsory Licensing to be Effective