https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6893-2758
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Abstract
The question of how to guarantee the health rights of people with disabilities, and their health equity in particular, is frequently neglected in infectious disease pandemics. The international response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is no exception in this regard. This neglect is related to other forms of marginalization and exclusion, as people with disabilities are generally poorer and more vulnerable than their non-disabled counterparts. Sustainable Development Goal 3 lacks an appropriate human rights language that enshrines equality and inclusivity in pandemic prevention work and related policies and legislation; and, as a result, it does not sufficiently guarantee the health rights of people with disabilities. This paper draws on China’s pandemic prevention work to extract relevant lessons, and seeks to explain how decision-making systems and resource allocation mechanisms impact on the health rights of people with disabilities. It discusses the unique roles of justice and legislation in helping to guarantee the health rights of people with disabilities in an infectious disease pandemic, and concludes that future research should more closely consider how Sustainable Development Goal 16 can support Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Abbreviations
IDD, intellectual and developmental disabilities; IDP, infectious disease pandemic; LPDP, Law on the Protection of Disabled Persons; LPTID, Law on Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases; PRC, People’s Republic of China; SDG, Sustainable Development Goal; UN, United Nations; UNCRPD, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; WHO, World Health Organization.
Data Sharing Statement
Not applicable.
Consent for Publication
Mrs. Ling has provided informed consent for the text to be published.
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate
The Mutual Aid Group for People with Disabilities in this article adheres to correct guidelines regarding organ transplants, that all organs were donated voluntarily with written informed consent, in accordance with the Declaration of Istanbul.
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
Qi Wang reports being a member of the China Law Society, standing director of China Civil Procedure Law Research Institute. The authors declare that they have no other potential conflicts of interest.