Skip to content

UK and International

Filming a classroom setting

Resources

Policies that aim to provide economic security and support to reduce the health and social consequences of poverty and low income throughout a person’s life.

REPORT COVID

International Horizon Scanning and Learning: Summary Report On the impact of COVID-19 on increasing the Health Gap and Vulnerability

This report by Public Health Wales brings together international evidence and insights on inequalities from the International Horizon Scanning Learning Reports published between May 2020 and August 2021. It focuses on vulnerable groups and the unequal distribution of indirect impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including impacts on low-income workers.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning – Summary Report On the impact of COVID-19 on increasing the Health Gap and Vulnerability


PAPER

Inequality and the COVID Crisis in the United Kingdom

This working paper by the Institute for Fiscal Studies reports that job-support programmes combined with the expanded welfare system meant that disposable income inequality fell during the COVID-19 pandemic but that rising house prices benefited people in particular around the middle of the wealth distribution.

Inequality and the COVID Crisis in the United Kingdom


REPORT COVID

Inequality in the Time of COVID-19: All Metrics Are Not Equal When it Comes to Assessing The Pandemic’s Unequal Effect

This report by the International Monetary Fund examines income inequality and points to international evidence of the effectiveness of social protection policy responses such as income transfers targeted to poor and vulnerable workers.

Inequality in the Time of COVID-19: All Metrics Are Not Equal When it Comes to Assessing The Pandemic’s Unequal Effect


ARTICLE

COVID-19 and Global Income Inequality

This research article explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global income inequality.

COVID-19 and Global Income Inequality


ARTICLE

Food Insecurity and COVID-19 Risk in Low- and Middle-income Countries

This research article assesses whether knowledge of a person infected with COVID-19 is associated with food insecurity, job loss and business closures, and coping strategies to smooth consumption.

Food Insecurity and COVID-19 Risk in Low- and Middle-income Countries


PAPER

Income Security During Periods of Ill Health: A Scoping Review of Policies, Practice and Coverage in Low-income and Middle-income Countries

This scoping review aims to map the range, features, coverage, protective effects, and equity of policies that aim to provide income security for adults whose ill health prevents them from participating in gainful work in low-income and middle-income countries. It concludes that scaling up and diversifying the range of income security interventions is crucial for improving coverage and equity, and that to achieve these outcomes, illness-related income protection must receive greater recognition in health policy and health financing.

Income Security During Periods of Ill Health: A Scoping Review of Policies, Practice and Coverage in Low-income and Middle-income Countries


ARTICLE

Health Inequalities in Europe: Does Minimum Income Protection Make a Difference?

This research article investigates how minimum income protection is associated with socio-economic health inequalities.

Health Inequalities in Europe: Does Minimum Income Protection Make a Difference?


REPORT

Brief Report: A Comparison of Child Mental Health Inequalities in Three UK Population Cohorts

This brief report reveals that the mental health gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children in the UK has not reduced over the last 20 years and may be getting worse.

Brief Report: A Comparison of Child Mental Health Inequalities in Three UK Population Cohorts


ARTICLE

Economic Influences on Population Health in the United States: Toward Policymaking Driven by Data and Evidence

This research article explores economic influences on population health in the United States and suggests that policymaker consensus around the value of data—and the political will to act on it—will be critical for translating evidence into improvements in population health.

Economic Influences on Population Health in the United States: Toward Policymaking Driven by Data and Evidence


ARTICLE

Geographic and Socio-demographic Predictors of Household Food Insecurity in Canada, 2011–12

This research article reports a graded relation between income and food insecurity in Canada, with every $1000 increase in income associated with 2% lower odds of marginal food insecurity, 4% lower odds of moderate food insecurity, and 5% lower odds of severe food insecurity.

Geographic and Socio-demographic Predictors of Household Food Insecurity in Canada, 2011–12


BRIEFING

What Triggers Economic Insecurity and Who is Most At Risk?

This policy brief by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs suggests that full recovery from the pandemic crisis is not possible without addressing economic security and reducing inequality.

What Triggers Economic Insecurity and Who is Most At Risk?


WEBINAR COVID

Confronting Poverty and Income Insecurity During COVID-19 Through Strengthening Social Protection

This WHO Global Webinar Series on Equity, COVID-19 and the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) discusses the disproportionate impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on more disadvantaged population groups, with a focus on how it is widening health inequities.

Confronting Poverty and Income Insecurity During COVID-19 Through Strengthening Social Protection on


BRIEFING

The Inequality Virus: Bringing Together a World Torn Apart by Coronavirus Through a Fair, Just and Sustainable Economy

This briefing paper by Oxfam International notes that hundreds of millions of people were being forced into poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Inequality Virus: Bringing Together a World Torn Apart by Coronavirus Through a Fair, Just and Sustainable Economy


REPORT

2022 Global Report on Food Crises

Focuses on current situation regarding the food crises, taking global, regional and country specific views. Included information relating to vulnerable groups including pregnant women, children, refuges etc. Solutions focused in that it contains information on data and ‘know-how to change the course’.

2022 Global Report on Food Crises


ARTICLE

The Association Between Food Insecurity and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Examining the association between food insecurity and mental health amongst low-income Americans during the COVID pandemic. Solutions focused in that public health recommendations are included to reduce the impacts of food insecurity.

The Association Between Food Insecurity and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic


BRIEFING

Impact of the Socio-Economic Crisis on FEBA Members

Looking at evidence-based insights into the repercussions of the cost-of-living crisis, on the operations of Food Banks and on the profile of end beneficiaries supported through charitable organisations across member countries within Europe. Illustrates increasing need for Food Banks and also increasing vulnerability to food insecurity including groups most vulnerable to this.

Impact of the Socio-Economic Crisis on FEBA Members


ARTICLE

Energy Poverty Policies and Measures in 5 EU Countries: A Comparative Study

Looking into the impacts of energy poverty including the physical and mental health impacts upon energy poor individuals across 5 EU countries (Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria and Lithuania). Solutions focused in that an overview of selected policies and measures are analysed and recommendations are made on how to utilise policy tools and provide the most efficient support to energy poor households.

Energy Poverty Policies and Measures in 5 EU Countries: A Comparative Study