Covid 19 und globale Gesundheit: Brandbeschleuniger oder Brennglas?

Wirkungen und Auswirkungen der Pandemie auf Gesundheit und Gesellschaft hier und weltweit

Abstract

A novel infectious disease that is spreading fast and wide is not a new phenomenon. The COVID 19 pandemic seems nevertheless unique in its global efects. The history of the feld of Global Health has numerous links with the spread of infectious diseases. This article presents two perspectives on the effects of COVID 19 on Global Health: The pandemic can be seen as combustive agent, increasing already existing fires and exacerbating health disparities, healthcare provision for chronic conditions, access to new drugs and research, or mistrust in health systems. But the pandemic can also be seen as burning lens: it focuses light in a way, that kindles useful fires and it focuses light in a way, that makes the small invisible aspects visible. The pandemic helps to see the necessity to reflect the normative foundations of Global Health and to develop an epistemic humility. Ultimately, this paper presents four central challenges for a social ethic of Global Health.