Syndemic view: What it is & how it is relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: The concept of syndemic was coined by medical anthropologist Merrill Singer in the 90s to describe the way epidemics can overlap with social and cultural problems in a...
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for inclusive communication and information that can be accessed, understood, and acted upon by all throughout a crisis. Designing inclusive and accessible communication requires an understanding of the information needs of different groups, including vulnerable groups. Local governments...
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an imminent, continuous, and unprecedented healthcare challenge, which expanded in a disproportional rate worldwide. The governmental structures attempting to mitigate the socio-economic and health challenges which emerged first utilised and implemented pre-existing and contemporary policies, but later adopted practices which...
Exposing housing inequalities The pandemic has brought to light the inequalities that exist in housing. Migrants living in Antwerp, Belgium, were interviewed about their living conditions, and it was found that those who had access to green spaces and gardens felt more comfortable during the pandemic. Meanwhile,...
In 2008, Rebecca Solnit wrote an essay called Men Explain Things to Me, and an anonymous responder coined the term “mansplaining”. In a recent article in The Guardian, Solnit comes back to the issue, warning that the absurdity of the phenomenon tends to hide serious...
In an October 2021 press release published by The Guardian, the United Kingdom’s initial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was described as “one of the worst public health failures in UK history, with ministers and scientists taking a “fatalistic” approach that exacerbated the death toll.” Failings...
In Germany, shortly after the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic and the decision by politicians to protect the population through far-reaching restrictions, criticism and resistance arose among citizens. Particularly on the topic of vaccination – and the possibility of compulsory vaccination – a sense...
History of urban planning and relation to health crises For a long time, the history of urban design in many European countries has evolved in response to infectious diseases. In ancient Rome, the first sewerage system was created to respond to diseases like dysentery and...
On 24 February 2022 at the latest, a long-simmering crisis in Europe became acute. Since this day, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a wide range of direct and indirect effects on people's everyday lives across Europe. Recent surveys by COVINFORM partner SINUS-Institut answers some...
