#5-93E. Redefining Readiness: The NUS–Lancet PRIME Commission on Equitable Protection (Lancet, 2026)

How can health systems ensure that pandemic protection is feasible and equitable when conventional preparedness metrics fail in real-world crises? The NUS–Lancet PRIME Commission introduces a people-centered framework that integrates lived community experiences with institutional design to transform pandemic readiness. While the report’s 20 national case studies offer rich qualitative insights, their purposive design limits statistical generalizability across different health systems. Ultimately, for clinicians and healthcare leaders, this framework demonstrates that effective crisis response requires addressing systemic vulnerabilities—such as administrative barriers and housing precarity—to maintain continuity of care and build institutional trust during health emergencies.Citation: Calderón-Larrañaga S, Bakhti R, Etemadi M, et al. The NUS–Lancet PRIME Commission: transforming pandemic readiness for equity. The Lancet. 2026.URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01146-3Disclaimer: This audio summary is based on personal interpretation and does not guarantee the exact content of the original paper. Please refer to the original article for details.