Targeted support for marginalized communities, a strong public message and a properly coordinated government approach led by ministers are among the recommendations contained in a new evidence-based paper examining how the UK should respond to future pandemics.
Published by the University of Manchester’s policy engagement unit, Policy@Manchester, Dr Maurice Nagington, Dr Jeremy Williams and Dr Jaime Garcia-Iglesias outlined key findings from their research into how the country addressed the 2022 mpox epidemic, formerly known as monkeypox.
Their findings were supported by interviews and focus groups with stakeholders, including affected communities and health workers.
The academics found “gaps in national leadership, stark local and regional inequalities in vaccine access, and inadequate communications infrastructure.”
They offer guidance to policymakers and public health officials in four key areas for addressing future infectious disease outbreaks, starting with considerations of how mpox disproportionately affects marginalized communities.
“People from BAME backgrounds appeared to have lower access to the vaccine, while those from lower-income populations faced additional barriers to engaging with health and care services,” they observe. “Some people have also faced challenges related to isolation, such as financial or emotional difficulties. »
They advise: “Public health teams should be empowered to provide additional support (such as financial) if necessary so that people can self-isolate. »
The team argues that the needs of marginalized individuals deserve equally important consideration when developing effective communication strategies, a second area examined in their article.
“We note that social media has become a powerful tool in the response to the mpox epidemic, facilitating the rapid dissemination of information, promoting awareness and fostering collaboration among a wide range of actors involved in the response to the epidemic. ‘mpox epidemic’, Nagington, Williams and Garcia-Iglesias. to write. “The use of social media also poses challenges, particularly in terms of equitable access to information. »
According to them, “additional forms of communication that can reach marginalized people should also be developed simultaneously during epidemics.” They add: “Community organizations play an important role in developing and disseminating appropriate and impactful information. »
Addressing a third area where they believe action is needed, the academics are calling on government agencies – primarily the Department of Health and Social Care – to produce guidance for local public health teams to follow, supported by a additional financial support.
They recommend: “Governments should ensure coordination at ministerial level to ensure that all relevant professionals, policy makers and community representatives work together to proactively address any emerging inequalities during the immediate outbreak and plan for future outbreaks. »
And, drawing on the knowledge gained from their research into the “central role” sexual health services played during the mpox epidemic, Nagington, Williams and Garcia-Iglesias are calling on policymakers and legislators to “ensure funding and adequate support for sexual health services to improve their effectiveness. ability to meet the demands of epidemics.
“Has the UK failed in its management of mpox? Lessons for Future Pandemics” by Dr Maurice Nagington, Dr Jeremy Williams and Dr Jaime Garcia-Iglesias can be read for free on the Policy@Manchester website.