COVID-19: the first Homo Salus syndemic? Lessons of inclusion and social justice in the aftermath of SARS-CoV-2

• Published in: European journal of public health Vol. 31; no. Supplement_3
• Main Authors: Saboga-Nunes, L, Bittlingmayer, U, Harsch, S, Amaral, AP
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 20-10-2021; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Comorbidity; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Health care policy; Health education; Health policy; Health promotion; Health risks; Human dignity; Inequality; Outbreaks; Pandemics; Prevention; Public health; Risk society; Scars; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Social factors; Social interaction; Social interactions; Social justice; Sustainability; Viral diseases; Viruses
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab164.680

Issue
COVID-19 has been considered a pandemic. Nevertheless, following Merrill Singer et al, we could gain new insights if COVID-19 could be considered a syndemic. For too long Homo Sapiens has driven us towards un-sustainable achievements that are strongly reflected in the outbreak of the virus. A new perspective based in salutogenesis would call for the Homo Salus takeover, towards a more inclusive society.
Description
A syndemic perspective addresses biological and social interactions that are relevant for health policy and therefore that may affect prognosis, treatment, prevention and sustainability (sustainability at the environment, social and cultural levels). Analyzing, reducing and ensuring against risks, is a whole-of-society and whole-of-government endeavor. But more is needed than this risk perspective. Promoting health and pro-actively engaging the resilient individual is the sustainable perspective to be triggered. For this, Homo Salus must step in and move humanity forward to a new age.
Results
It is today well documented that policy should not be limited to the harm caused by SARS-CoV-2 addressing a response that only deals with the spread of the virus or curative measures to face the treat. Far more implications are found on NCDs, socioeconomic inequality citizens' susceptibility & health literacy. More than a comorbidity, this syndemic is determined basically by social interactions. In this very sense, the “one health” perspectives, inclusive of health promotion, becomes of utmost importance for future health action and policy.
Lessons
Focus the response to SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in biological characteristics will only deepen inequalities and foster the health gap even further. It is urgent to re-frame and establish a foundation that not only will deal with the scars of the present syndemic but that will help humanity to face next treats. Only then we may insure social justice, inclusion and human dignity.