Supply Chain Disruptions: Impacts on Vulnerable Communities

The pervasive effects of supply chain disruptions, underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and critical shortages of essential commodities, reverberate through all communities. Evidence exists, however, that these impacts are not evenly distributed and are disproportionately intense and persistent among vulnerable populations. Recovery from supply chain disruptions also takes longer in vulnerable and marginalized communities, and the disproportionate impacts of these disruptions have economic justice and equity implications.

On September 12, 2023, the Science and Technology for Resilience Program at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a virtual workshop to understand how vulnerable communities are at risk of being impacted by supply chain disruptions; challenges faced in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery; sustainability strategies for overcoming these challenges; and examples of adaptive, resilient, and sustainable efforts undertaken by communities to lessen impacts and develop actionable policies, programs, and strategies. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussion of the workshop.