Marginalisation, Ebola and Health for All: From Outbreak to Lessons Learned

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Sciences

Background:

• The 2014-2015 West Africa Ebola epidemic was the deadliest on record.
• Lessons from past Ebola outbreaks, like the one in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are often forgotten or incomplete.
• Marginalized populations face distinct health challenges during epidemics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand the health challenges of marginalized people during the West Africa Ebola epidemic.
• To elaborate on the multiple dimensions of marginalization in epidemic contexts.
• To critically examine the 'lessons learned' narrative from past outbreaks.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the 'outbreak narrative' and its components.
• Examination of temporal framings (prioritizing present over past).
• Analysis of 'Us versus Them' positioning and marginalization of traditional practices.

Main Results:

• Marginalization manifests through outbreak narratives, temporal biases, and social divisions.
• Traditional medicine, cultural practices, farming, and hunting were marginalized in response efforts.
• The 'lessons learned' framing often omits critical ethical and normative dimensions.

Conclusions:

• Effective epidemic response requires acknowledging and addressing the ethical and normative aspects of marginalization.
• Future strategies must be inclusive of diverse cultural practices and community knowledge.
• A deeper understanding of marginalization is essential to prevent future health crises.