The Impact of Polycrisis on Healthcare Systems—Analyzing Challenges and the Role of Social Epidemiology

This article examines how overlapping global crises are converging to form a polycrisis that places unprecedented strain on healthcare systems worldwide. Applying social epidemiology to the analysis of polycrisis, the authors highlight how these interconnected threats amplify one another, exposing systemic vulnerabilities and deepening health inequities. Drawing on data from missed hospitalizations, conflict zones such as Gaza, and global air pollution, the study underscores the urgent need for crisis-resilient care models and equitable health policies. It advocates for stronger investment in data infrastructure, enhanced surveillance, and the integration of social determinants into health system responses to better manage cascading risks and support population resilience.