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Cieza A, Kamenov K, Al Ghaib OA, Aresu A, Chatterji S, Chavez F, Clyne J, Drew N, Funk M, Guzman A, Guzzi E, Khasnabis C, Mikkelsen B, Minghui R, Mitra G, Narahari P, Nauk G, Priddy A, Sabeh A, Reyes MSC, Vasquez J, Widmer-Iliescu R. Disability and COVID-19: ensuring no one is left behind. Arch Public Health 2021; 79:148. [PMID: 34416912 PMCID: PMC8377454 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-021-00656-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda calls for targeted attention to the needs and rights of the most vulnerable populations to ensure a life of dignity and human security for all. In this paper, we argue that persons with disabilities are in a disproportionately vulnerable situation in public health emergencies. By using the example of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), we explain why that is and call for the systematic consideration of the needs and rights of persons with disabilities during the response to the outbreak and during the recovery phase. Otherwise, equity will continue to be merely an aspiration during this COVID-19 emergency - as it will in future health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ola Abu Al Ghaib
- UN Partnership on Persons with Disabilities Fund, United Nations Development Program, New York, USA
| | - Alessandra Aresu
- International Disability and Development Consortium, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Facundo Chavez
- Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jarrod Clyne
- International Disability Alliance, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ren Minghui
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gopal Mitra
- Executive Office of the Secretary-General, United Nations, New York, USA
| | - Priyanka Narahari
- United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, New York, USA
| | - Gisela Nauk
- Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Alice Priddy
- Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alaa Sabeh
- Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Javier Vasquez
- Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General on Disability and Accessibility, New York, USA
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