Different disease, same challenges: Social determinants of tuberculosis and COVID-19

Infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB) and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) relate to environmental factors, understanding of which is essential to inform policy and practice and tackle them effectively. The review follows the conceptual framework offered by the World Health Organization Commission on Social Determinants of Health (defined as all those material, psychological and behavioural circumstances linked to health and generically indicated as risk factors' in the conventional epidemiological language). It describes the social factors behind TB and COVID-19, the commonalities between the two diseases, and what can be learned so far from the published best practices. The social determinants sustaining TB and COVID-19 underline the importance of prioritising health and allocating adequate financial and human resources to achieve universal health coverage and health-related social protection while addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. Rapid and effective measures against poverty and other major social determinants and sources of inequality are urgently needed to develop better health in the post-COVID-19 world. (C) 2021 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.

Automated summary

Infectious diseases like TB and COVID-19 are linked to environmental factors, and understanding the social determinants is crucial for informing policy and practice. Prioritizing health, allocating sufficient resources for universal health coverage and social protection, and urgently addressing poverty and inequality are essential for improving health outcomes in the post-COVID-19 world.