Post-COVID-19 Society and Profound Societal Shifts

Post-COVID-19 Society and Profound Societal Shifts is a collective work that explores the multiple layers of social transformation left by the most disruptive pandemic of the 21st century. From a Global South perspective, the chapters gathered in this volume analyze the effects of COVID-19 not only as a health crisis but also as a syndemic - a convergence of disease, structural inequality, and institutional fragility. Featuring case studies primarily from Africa and other regions that have been historically marginalized in global discourse, the book offers a critical examination of the impacts of lockdowns, the erosion of community ties, and state responses to the emergency. The authors address urgent issues such as school dropout, food insecurity, gaps in vaccine access, the collapse of basic infrastructure, and the deterioration of mental health in rural and peri-urban communities. This book is a vital contribution for researchers studying the social consequences of the pandemic, as well as for policymakers, public health professionals, and community actors seeking to reimagine the future based on local experiences and collective resilience.