COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerability of our world, highlighting deep fractures in our societies and worsening injustice and inequality. The pandemic's impact disproportionately harmed the most vulnerable populations. The emergence of another infectious disease could further deepen disparities. Therefore, prevention is not just essential—it is imperative.

Communities are at the core of the PREZODE approach to preventing the emergence of zoonotic disease emergence. Their involvement and engagement are necessary to establish sustainable Global Health strategies. To ensure effective, efficient, and proactive prevention, we must confront inequities and eliminate barriers to inclusivity.

The webinar raised a few questions: How can we tackle the numerous interconnected layers of inequity? How can we ensure equitable involvement of all communities to address health issues, whether human, animal, or environmental? How can we improve communication to strengthen collaboration and prevention efforts and enhance decision-making processes, acknowledging that integrating diverse perspectives is imperative to designing adequate policies?

To address these questions, the panel discussion brought together 5 experts:

• Dr. Robyn Alders, Honorary Professor with the Australia National University Development Policy Centre and Senior Consulting Fellow with the Chatham House Global Health Programme.

• Dr. Salome Bukachi, Professor of Research in Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
• Dr. Amélie Desvars-Larrive, Associate Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the University of Veterinary Medicine (Vetmeduni) Vienna, Austria
• Dr. Andres Garchitorena, Researcher at the French Institute for Sustainable Development, PREZODE focal point for the Indian Ocean.
• Dr. Sandul Yasobant, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar

Among the recommendations for comprehensive approaches advocated:

• Integrating diversity and taking into consideration that there are no homogeneous communities; Improving communication by using precise, inclusive, and non-stigmatizing vocabulary and collecting data in a language that is understandable and appropriate to each community;
• Disaggregating data and how it is managed, making sure we understand risk across different cultures, communities, genders, ages, activities, work, and regions;
• Ensuring that the people’s voices are amplified and their views and knowledge incorporated in the design and implementation of interventions;
• Implementing field programs that facilitate bottom-up and One Health approaches with a diverse workforce…

Full outcomes of the discussion coming soon, stay tuned!