- Matthew M. Kavanagh leads a global health center.
- He says the modern threat is virus and inequality.
- Science can find a virus fast and make vaccines.
- But pandemics come faster and kill more people.
- Inequality makes societies more vulnerable and worsens pandemics.
- HIV hit LGBTQ communities with stigma and criminalisation.
- COVID-19 spread in crowded housing and migrant dormitories.
- He wants debt pauses, shared technology, and new funding.
- Cash transfers and child grants save lives.
Difficult words
- disease — An illness that affects people.diseases
- pandemic — A disease that spreads widely.Pandemics
- inequality — The state of not being equal.
- risk — The chance of something bad happening.
- wealthy — Having a lot of money or resources.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How should governments help during pandemics?
- Why is inequality a problem during health crises?
- What can people do to protect themselves from diseases?
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