Researchers provide advice on social protection during the pandemic
In December, a joint event was organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the SPARKS network. The event, held in Geneva, Switzerland, marked the Universal Health Coverage Day and celebrated the interconnected goals of universal health coverage and universal social protection.
Professor Salla Atkins, one of the co-directors of the Tampere University WHO Collaborating Centre on Health in All Policies and Social Determinants of Health, participated in the event.
During the event, Professor Atkins presented the key findings of the WHO report titled The Role of Social Protection in Reducing the Burden of Public Health and Social Measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence Review. The report is a WHO publication, developed through a collaboration between WHO, ILO, and Tampere University.
The findings underscore the critical role of social protection in improving health outcomes during emergencies. They highlight the importance of building robust systems and capacities that can adapt to crises, ensuring equitable support during such periods. Furthermore, the report advocates for adopting an equity-focused approach, incorporating the social determinants of health into research and policy design on health and social protection.
