Vatican, Feb 18: Experts have warned that widening income inequality threatens democratic stability and equitable healthcare delivery, stressing the need for global solidarity and collaboration to address disparities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at a press conference, participants said historical and empirical evidence shows that large income inequalities weaken democratic systems by eroding the middle class.
“It does not lead to democracy. You need most people in the middle class for democracy to sustain itself,” one speaker said, underlining the link between economic balance and political stability.
Sheila Tlou of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance emphasised the importance of shared responsibility in global health, citing the COVID-19 crisis as proof of global interdependence.
“We are branches of the same trees and leaves of the same branches,” she said, adding: “What happens to one country will happen to another, and therefore no country is safe until all countries are safe.”
Calling for greater international cooperation, she said, “The idea is to look at how we can collaborate globally.”
Vaccine access emerged as a key issue during the pandemic, with wealthier nations facing criticism for hoarding doses while poorer countries struggled to secure supplies. Tlou noted that African experts and institutions are now working with Western partners to strengthen vaccine development and preparedness for future health emergencies.
“We don’t know what is going to come next, but when it does come, the world should be united,” she said.
She added that global collaboration can also help curb corruption in healthcare systems by promoting transparency and accountability in joint projects.
“When the world collaborates, then aspects of corruption and money going where it’s not supposed to be are lessened,” she said.
Monsignor Robert Vitillo, senior advisor at the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, referred to Catholic social teaching on income inequality and ethical business conduct.
He highlighted a set of “principles for Catholic business leaders” issued by the former Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, developed in consultation with Catholic business schools and professionals.
“I think there are a lot of principles in there that I think it would be good that we begin to share,” he said, particularly among clergy engaging with business communities.
Vitillo also invoked the long-standing social justice maxim of “think globally and act locally,” urging organisations to draw attention to income gaps and resulting inequalities.
The new president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro, called for stronger collaboration between countries of the Global North and South, particularly in addressing rising healthcare costs and the impact of emerging technologies.
Participants also discussed the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, the need to combat vaccine misinformation, and the importance of ensuring access to healthcare for all, regardless of social or economic status.
