India, Aug. 10 -- Economic inequality is a stronger predictor of how countries respond to pandemics than traditional measures of preparedness such as laboratory capacity and emergency response systems, according to new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study, led by international expert group the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics, argues that strong health systems alone are not enough to protect countries during global health emergencies.

The study findings presented at the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

For decades, global pandemic preparedness has focused on strengthening technical capacities such as laboratories, disease surveillance, vaccines, medicines and eme...