EMBRACE: Embracing diversity in vulnerability - a multilevel intersectional study of communities’ vulnerability and public health institutions’ capability to cope with COVID-19 and future pandemics

This multidisciplinary research, EMBRACE, analyses the complexity in inequality patterns of COVID-19 and explores how public health institutions and local communities interact in the management of vulnerabilities to the COVID-19 pandemic.

EMBRACE identifies strategies to equitably strengthen capacities for reducing exposure to and coping with risks in future pandemics.

EMBRACE spans over three-year and uses mixed methods in three studies, including:Spatial-temporal analysis of COVID-19 vulnerability (Study 1, month 4-12).A multilevel intersectional analysis of individual and contextual area-level vulnerability to COVID-19’s burden and vaccine’s uptake (Study 2, month 9-18).A qualitative policy analysis of vulnerability and the role of intersectional resources including health literacy and social capital during the COVID-19-pandemic (Study 3, months 4-36).EMBRACE seeks ethics approval from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Month 1-3) and synthesises the results as policy briefs (months 33-36).

Concerning Forte’s areas of responsibility, EMBRACE identifies interventions for target groups and communities that could mitigate the adverse effects of existing inequality on vulnerability during the pandemic.

The novel use of the multilevel intersectional approach allows us to disentangle the heterogeneous vulnerabilities to COVID-19. EMBRACE aims to present suggestions for policy improvements and indicators for future policy monitoring.

The equity-focused policy development aims to strengthen local communities’ resilience and institutions’ adaptability to reduce the risk of furthering health inequality related to the current and future pandemics.

EMBRACE unites six multidisciplinary researchers (social epidemiologist, social worker, health promotion experts) from Gothenburg and Umeå University and Karolinska Institute, together with the Scientific Advisory Committee and local institutions in Stockholm and Västra Götaland.