An influenza pandemic could have devastating global effects, and people who are already economically and socially disadvantaged will probably suffer the most. Because of this, countries should take special measures to mitigate the effect of a pandemic on existing social inequalities. In July 2006, an international panel of experts produced three principal criteria for the just development of pandemic preparedness and response plans: planners should (1) explicitly identify disadvantaged groups within society; (2) engage these groups in the planning process, either directly or through their representatives; and (3) identify and address the special needs of disadvantaged groups in the context of a pandemic. Unfortunately, there is little evidence that these criteria have been observed.
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