Equity-based pandemic preparedness recognizes that responses to health crisis can worsen existing social, economic, and health inequities, as well as create new ones. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. A team-based approach – including all sectors of government and civil society – can provide a robust response to pandemics and protect against inequitable outcomes. In sports, every player must excel in their role while also working in harmony with teammates. Similarly, effective pandemic response demands collaboration across sectors, communities and levels of government. Just as sports teams develop strategies by learning from past games and assessing both team capacity and conditions, preparing for a pandemic requires a balance of detailed planning and adaptability – as well as a great deal of practice working together.

As the level of governance that has the greatest impact on the day-to-day activities of residents, municipal governments have a key role to play in pandemic preparedness and response. This research brief outlines practical strategies municipal actors are particularly well placed to advance, such as ensuring economic security, addressing intimate partner violence, and defending against racism and discrimination. Municipalities can mobilize community networks, engage marginalized populations in decision-making, and ensuring access to services. By leveraging their location knowledge and expertise, municipalities can help create a more resilient and equitable pandemic response, ensuring that no community is left behind.

For more information, you can also check out ‘The pandemic preparedness playbook: Ensuring equity-based response during crisis‘.