The COVID-19 Pandemic: Informing Policy Decision-Making for a Vulnerable Population

Authors

  • Nicholas Spence Department of Sociology & Interdisciplinary Center for Health and Society, University of Toronto, Canada
  • Vivian Chau Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Canada
  • Maryam S. Farvid Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, United States
  • Jerry White Department of Sociology, University of Western Ontario, Canada
  • Paranthaman Rasalingam Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto, Canada
  • Lawrence Loh Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2020.11.3.10859

Keywords:

corona virus, pandemic, policy, community risk, social determinants of health, COVID-19, well-being, vulnerable population, inequity, Indigenous Peoples, First Nations, Aboriginal Peoples

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted society. Vulnerable populations are at heightened risk for exposure, as well as adverse health and social consequences. Policymakers are operating under difficult circumstances, making crucial policy decisions to maximize impact and mitigate harm, with limited scientific evidence. This article examines the pronounced vulnerability of Indigenous Peoples in Canada to the pandemic. We highlight the importance of moving beyond individual-level risk factors associated with COVID-19 by identifying and classifying Indigenous communities most vulnerable to the pandemic. We propose the use of a social diagnostic tool, the Community Well-Being Index, rooted in the social determinants of health, to predict community vulnerability and potentially guide policy decision-making in the fight against COVID-19. 

International Indigenous Policy Journal July 2020 Volume 11 Issue 3; Nicholas Spence, Editor-in-Chief; Susan Wingert, Managing Editor

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Published

2020-10-01

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2020): The COVID-19 Pandemic and Indigenous Peoples

Section

Policy

License

Copyright (c) 2020 Nicholas Spence, Vivian Chau, Maryam S. Farvid, Jerry White, Paranthaman Rasalingam, Lawrence Loh

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