International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Re-evaluating the Conceptual Framework of Health System Resilience: Insights From Economic Sanctions; Comment on “Re-evaluating Our Knowledge of Health System Resilience During COVID-19: Lessons From the First Two Years of the Pandemic”

Document Type : Commentary

Authors
Haniye Sadat Sajadi 1
Reza Majdzadeh 2
1 Knowledge Utilization Research Center, University Research and Development Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Interdisciplinary Research and Practice Division, School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
10.34172/ijhpm.8691
Abstract
Health system resilience in the context of economic sanctions (ES) is an underexplored area. We used data from recent studies on the impact of ES on the health systems to cross-reference and assess the applicability of the conceptual framework of health system resilience (CFHSR). Reviewing the interventions implemented under ES and aligning them with the CFHSR and COVID-19 responses, we found that the CFHSR domains encompass most strategies from the ES and COVID-19 studies. However, CFHSR does not cover several strategies related to equity and teamwork. Additionally, monitoring the consequences is missing from the experiences of COVID-19 and ES. The CFHSR appears to be reasonably effective in categorizing strategies for both COVID-19 and ES. Nonetheless, its domains can be further refined. Specifically, incorporating an intersectional equity lens could enhance this conceptual framework. The next step is to develop a practical guide to apply CFHSR to strengthen health system resilience. 
Keywords
Health System Resilience
Resource Scarcity
Intersectionality
Health Equity
COVID-19 Response
Conceptual Framework
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International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 14, Issue 1
2025
Pages 1-6

  • Received Date 10 July 2024
  • Revised Date 29 April 2025
  • Accepted Date 07 May 2025
  • First Published Date 12 May 2025
  • Published Date 01 December 2025