Vulnerability and risk: reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic

At the end of December 2019, SARS-COV-2 virus was identified as responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid spread of transmission exposed structural failures of modern societies and of the health systems in preventing and containing a health threat. Scientific discussion has focused on the search for a vaccine, but less on understanding the social response to the current global threat and fear of outbreaks. In this essay, we reflect, based on the social sciences, on the importance of linking three concepts: vulnerability-perception-risk. This is necessary to develop preventive strategies appropriate to population circumstances, especially with the most vulnerable population, in favor of health equity.