The Lancet Commission on lessons for the future from the COVID-19 pandemic

As of May 31, 2022, there were 6·9 million reported deaths and 17·2 million estimated deaths from COVID-19, as reported by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. This staggering death toll is both a profound tragedy and a massive global failure at multiple levels. Too many governments have failed to adhere to basic norms of institutional rationality and transparency, too many people—often influenced by misinformation—have disrespected and protested against basic public health precautions, and the world's major powers have failed to collaborate to control the pandemic. 

This mini course looks at The Lancet Commission Report on lessons for the future from the COVID-19 pandemic with Jeffrey Sachs and experts from around the world. The videos series offers a background to the Commission and the key findings after two years of research. The recommendations are divided into three main areas. First, practical steps to finally control and understand the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, realistic, feasible, and necessary investments to strengthen the first line of defense against emerging infectious agents in countries by strengthening health systems and widening universal health coverage. Third, ambitious proposals to ignite a renaissance in multilateralism, integrating the global response to the risk of future pandemics with actions to address the climate crisis and reversals in sustainable development.

The course contains recordings of 6 webinars held virtually by Jeffrey Sachs and the Center for Sustainable Development of Columbia University.