Global COVID-19 Efforts as the Platform to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Purpose of Review In this commentary, we summarize and put into perspective the recent information that highlights the associations between coronavirus disease and poverty. We also bring attention to another dimension that will most likely exacerbate the severity and long-term sequelae of COVID-19 in impoverished populations, that is, the comorbidities and the presence of tropical infections. Recent Findings During this first half of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a poverty-related neglected disease on at least two fronts. First, is its significant impact in low-income neighborhoods in the USA, the epicenter of the pandemic. Second, is its emergence in poor urban areas of South America, and now in Asia and Africa. In both fronts, the pandemic is contributing heavily towards the loss of public health gains that we managed to achieve globally during the last two decades. Specifically, any advances made as part of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (United Nations, 2020 ) is eroding, and for the first time, the number of people entering extreme poverty is increasing. Adding to this descent into poverty are new disruptions in ongoing disease control programs, routine vaccination strategies, and a reduction of capacity building efforts globally. Therefore, and as highlighted by many others, we support the notion that a way forward to eliminate this coronavirus pandemic should include linking COVID-19 control to other tropical or poverty-related diseases. Summary COVID-19 is slowing or reversing global health and development gains. To be successful and achieve the global goals including the control of pandemics such as the one seen from the COVID-19, we must rely on strong leadership leading to impactful public policies and global collaborations, including global COVID-19 vaccinations, and potentially linking them to programs for childhood and adult vaccinations and programs for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and neglected tropical disease treatments. Opportunities also include the creation of unique research opportunities and funding models and increase science engagement for international diplomacy. This can only be done with a better understanding of the relationships between coronavirus disease, poverty, and tropical diseases.

Efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: potential entry points for neglected tropical diseases

“…Yet, there is no question that NTD control programme managers are facing a race against time to avoid further neglect [ 6 , 23 , 51 ]. Hence, they would be well advised to look into any possible new funding opportunities presented by the current COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Mitigating the Impacts of COVID-19 on Global Child Health: a Call to Action

“… 2. Rapidly and freely disseminate lessons learned and share best practices and guidelines, including open access to COVID-related scientific publications, so that practitioners in all settings can benefit from evolving knowledge and each other’s experiences [ 59 – 61 , 63 , 64 ]. 3.…”

Decolonizing Science Diplomacy: A Case Study of the Dominican Republic’s COVID-19 Response

“…However, developing nations in the Global South and the poorest communities in developed nations have borne the heavy brunt of this disease, with some suggesting it has led to a loss of gains made in achieving the Millenium Development Goals ( Mejía et al, 2020 ), and deviating funding allocated for neglected tropical diseases ( Molyneux et al, 2020 ), and older pandemics afflicting most-at-risk populations like HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria ( de Souza et al, 2020 ). According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), developing countries are expected to have income losses that would exceed 220 billion, leading to further social and health challenges ( IMF, 2020 ).…”