[Socioeconomic inequalities and COVID-19 in Spain. SESPAS Report 2022]

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown its syndemic nature where the contagion by coronavirus joins the high prevalence of chronic diseases in a context of great social inequality and a clear gradient of those pathologies. The objectives of this article are: 1) to show a conceptual framework of the determinants of social inequality in the COVID-19; 2) to review the available literature on socioeconomic inequalities in various aspects related to COVID-19 in Spain; and 3) propose recommendations to monitor, intervene with policies and communication guides to reduce social inequalities in COVID-19, showing examples developed in Spain. The conceptual framework includes structural and intermediate determinants reflecting the different axes of inequality that characterize the syndemic nature of COVID-19. The literature review published up to July 2021 in Spain describes a socioeconomic gradient of COVID-19, not always consistent among studies, as well as an uneven impact of many measures to control the pandemic. Finally, the proposals for reducing social inequalities in COVID-19 include: 1) to guarantee information systems and research with an equity perspective; 2) to reduce inequalities in COVID-19 through its intermediate, and economic and political determinants; and 3) to design communication models and understanding frameworks that break with hegemonies that hide the relevance of social inequality in the pandemic. Given the syndemic nature of COVID-19 and accumulated knowledge, surveillance systems, interventions and communication must include a clear perspective of health equity.

Keywords: COVID-19; España; Factores socioeconómicos; Sindemia; Socioeconomic factors; Spain; Syndemic.

Figura 1

Marco conceptual sobre los determinantes de las desigualdades de la COVID-19. (Fuente: Vázquez et al.⁶)

Figura 2

Cobertura vacunal en personas de 66 a 69 años en las Zonas Básicas de Salud de Barcelona. Mayo de 2021.