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Pandemic Preparedness Model Flawed as Study Identifies Inequality as Biggest Killer
Pandemic Preparedness Model Flawed as Study Identifies Inequality as Biggest Killer
By: Michael Mike
A major international study has challenged decades of global health policy, concluding that economic inequality—not the strength of a country’s laboratories, emergency plans or healthcare infrastructure—is the strongest predictor of how severely nations suffer during pandemics.
The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine by a team led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz and other leading global health experts, argue that governments must fundamentally rethink pandemic preparedness by placing inequality at the centre of health security strategies.
The research, conducted by the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics, found that countries traditionally ranked among the world’s best prepared for pandemics, including the United States and the United Kingdom, recorded some of the highest COVID-19 infection and death rates despite their advanced medical systems.
By contrast, countries with lower conventional preparedness rankings but relatively lower levels of inequality, such as Vietnam and Ethiopia, performed significantly better in containing the pandemic.
The researchers found no meaningful link between traditional pandemic preparedness indicators and actual outcomes during COVID-19 or the AIDS pandemic. Instead, they identified income inequality as the clearest predictor of deaths and infections.
According to the analysis, every one-point increase in a country’s Gini coefficient—the standard measure of income inequality—was associated with approximately 12.5 additional COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 people. The same relationship was observed for AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections, even after accounting for poverty levels and existing health infrastructure.
The report argues that inequality weakens public health responses by limiting people’s ability to comply with health measures, reducing trust in public institutions and creating unequal access to healthcare services.
It warns that over 90 per cent of the world’s population now lives in countries experiencing high levels of income inequality—the highest since the Industrial Revolution—making the global community increasingly vulnerable to future pandemics.
To reverse the trend, the researchers proposed an “Inequality-Informed Pandemic Preparedness and Response” framework that shifts attention beyond hospitals and laboratories to broader economic and social policies.
Among their recommendations are expanding paid sick leave, unemployment benefits and cash transfers during health emergencies; integrating finance, labour and education ministries into pandemic planning; reforming global financial systems through emergency debt relief and automatic international funding; and promoting open licensing of publicly funded medical research alongside expanded regional production of vaccines and medicines.
Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate in Economics and Co-Chair of the Global Council, said the findings expose fundamental weaknesses in the world’s current approach to pandemic preparedness.
“For decades the world judged how ready a country is for a pandemic by counting its laboratories, stockpiles and response plans. This research shows that this is not enough. High economic inequality can leave even wealthy, well-equipped nations dangerously exposed,” he said.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima described inequality as the underlying driver of pandemics, saying governments now have clear evidence on where action is needed.
“The research proves that inequality is the ground in which pandemics take root. By tackling inequality, we can end AIDS as a public health threat and make the world safer from future pandemics,” she said.
The publication comes ahead of discussions at the AIDS 2026 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, where global leaders will examine the findings and their implications for future international health policy.
The Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics was convened by UNAIDS to examine how social and economic inequality shapes responses to infectious disease outbreaks. The Council’s latest study compares countries’ responses to both COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS and concludes that conventional preparedness indices—which primarily assess technical capacity such as surveillance systems, laboratories and emergency response mechanisms—fail to predict real-world performance.
The findings come as governments worldwide reassess pandemic preparedness following COVID-19, which claimed millions of lives globally, while HIV/AIDS has killed more than 44 million people since the early 1980s. The researchers argue that reducing inequality should now be regarded as a core pillar of global health security rather than simply a social policy objective.
Pandemic Preparedness Model Flawed as Study Identifies Inequality as Biggest Killer
Seven ISWAP Fighters’ Family Members, 12 Children Flee Yaganari Enclave, Surrender to Troops
By Zagazola Makama
Seven family members of suspected terrorists, accompanied by 12 children, have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI at Mafa in Borno State, following reported hunger and violent clashes among rival terrorist factions.
According to sources, the seven women surrendered at about 5 p.m. on Aug. 17 to troops of 112 Task Force Battalion deployed in Mafa.
The women were identified as Falamatai Modu, 30; Kelu Yaga, 25; Fada Yaga, 30; Gwaya Kadi, 25; Hauwa Mallam, 25; Maryam Yusuf, 25; and Fanna Kadi, 40.
They were accompanied by 12 children, aged between three months and 10 years.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the women escaped from the Yaganari terrorist enclave due to hunger and concerns over their safety following violent clashes between rival terrorist factions.
The report said the escapees were profiled and documented by the troops and would be handed over to the 24 Task Force Brigade Military Intelligence Regiment for further action.
The development highlights the increasing pressure on terrorist enclaves in the North-East, where sustained military operations and internal factional clashes continue to disrupt the groups’ activities and survival networks.
The military authorities said the general security situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained satisfactory.
Seven ISWAP Fighters’ Family Members, 12 Children Flee Yaganari Enclave, Surrender to Troops
Again, Military Neutralise 8 ISWAP Fighters in Precision Airstrike in Timbuktu Triangle
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised eight suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in a precision airstrike at Thethangala, within the Timbuktu Triangle of Borno State.
According to a Special Situation Report obtained by Zagazola Makama, the operation followed intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.
The report said a Guardian aircraft established overhead at Thethangala at about 9:56 p.m. on Aug. 18 and subsequently sighted eight terrorists who had converged and were lying in wait, apparently preparing to attack troops at their location.
Following the sighting, the aircraft conducted a precision strike on the identified terrorists.
“Battle Damage Assessment shows all the terrorists neutralised with no further movement observed after the strike,” the report stated.
The military said the general security situation remained calm but unpredictable, while the morale and fighting efficiency of troops remained satisfactory.
The latest air operation is part of sustained intelligence-led efforts by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt terrorist concentrations and prevent planned attacks against troops operating in the North-East.
The Timbuktu Triangle remains one of the areas where terrorist groups have continued to seek opportunities to regroup and launch attacks against military positions.
Again, Military Neutralise 8 ISWAP Fighters in Precision Airstrike in Timbuktu Triangle
NTTF VP Mailantarki tasks stakeholders on grassroots development
The Vice President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Honourable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, has commended the sponsor of the Senior Advocate Cup, Muhammed Sani Ndanusa (SAN), urging more stakeholders to emulate his profound passion for grassroots talent development across Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.
Hon. Mailantarki gave the commendation in a press statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Mr Adamu Usman Ahmed.
Mailantarki while speaking during the closing ceremony of the highly anticipated tournament congratulated the various winners across the different categories of Men Singles, Junior Single and the veterans.
The NTTF VP thrilled the audience at the Kaduna Police Officers’ Mess Indoor Sport hall with an exciting developmental announcement.
He revealed that the two finalists of the Junior Singles category have been selected for a special performance camping program at his prestigious Table Tennis Academy in Abuja. Based on their performance at the camp, they stand the chance of securing full sponsorship to an upcoming international youth championship.
The 6th edition of the championship witnessed spectacular displays of talents. In the elite category, Abayomi Martins from Borno State delivered a stellar performance to take home the overall winner’s prize, leaving Kamal Muktar of Kano State to settle for the runner-up medal.
In the fiercely contested Junior category, the host state’s Mustapha Muktar (Kaduna) triumphed over Taraba State’s Harrison Jacob to clinch the ultimate prize.
Looking to the future, Hon. Mailantarki assured fans and players that similar grassroots and elite developmental championships would be organized in other states to ensure the continuous discovery and nurturing of table tennis talents in the country.
NTTF VP Mailantarki tasks stakeholders on grassroots development
Seven ISWAP Fighters’ Family Members, 12 Children Flee Yaganari Enclave, Surrender to Troops
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