Abstract: Epidemics amplify existing disparities in healthcare access, resource allocation, and health outcomes, disproportionately affecting low-income populations in the United States. Public health policies, while designed to mitigate disease spread and safeguard population health, often reveal structural inequities in their formulation and implementation. This review examines the interplay between public health policy, resource distribution, and health equity during epidemic responses, focusing on marginalized communities with limited socioeconomic and political capital. The analysis explores historical and contemporary examples, including the COVID-19 pandemic, to assess how emergency response strategies—such as vaccine distribution, testing accessibility, personal protective equipment (PPE) allocation, and public health messaging—impact health equity. It also evaluates policy frameworks through the lenses of social determinants of health, structural racism, and economic vulnerability, highlighting instances where targeted interventions either alleviated or exacerbated inequities. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature from epidemiology, public policy, and health economics, the review identifies gaps in equitable policy design and proposes evidence-based strategies to improve resource distribution during future epidemics. By addressing systemic barriers, fostering community engagement, and integrating equity metrics into policy evaluation, the paper aims to contribute to more just and resilient epidemic preparedness frameworks for vulnerable U.S. populations.
Keywords: Health equity; Resource distribution; Public health policy; Epidemic response; Low-income populations.
Title: The Impact of Public Health Policy on Resource Distribution and Health Equity during Epidemics in Low-Income U.S. Populations
Author: Peter Babajide Babatuyi, Paul Okugo Imoh, Emmanuel Uche Igwe, Joy Onma Enyejo
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
Vol. 13, Issue 1, April 2025 - September 2025
Page No: 554-569
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 16-August-2025
