Social inequality plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of infectious diseases, with profound implications for both established and emerging pathogens. Social determinants such as access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, living conditions, and education significantly influence an individual’s susceptibility to infectious diseases. Marginalized communities, often disadvantaged by poverty, discrimination, and inadequate infrastructure, bear a disproportionate burden of infectious diseases. Recent outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have laid bare these entrenched social inequities, disproportionately affecting marginalized populations. Ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, and underserved communities were heavily affected by the pandemic facing higher infection rates, severe illness, and mortality rates due to underlying social vulnerabilities. Limited access to healthcare services, preventive measures, and information exacerbates their vulnerability, leading to increased transmission and severity of infectious diseases within these populations. Emerging infectious diseases (EID), characterized by their unpredictable nature and potential for global spread, further exacerbate existing social inequalities. EIDs often originate in marginalized communities with close human-animal interfaces, inadequate sanitation, and limited healthcare access. These communities face significant barriers in early detection, containment, and access to life-saving interventions, perpetuating cycles of transmission and exacerbating health disparities. Social determinants of health including household income, education level, employment, social support, and healthcare access are limited among marginalized communities putting them at higher risk adverse health outcomes. Addressing social inequality is paramount for effective prevention, detection, and response to infectious diseases, including emerging threats. Proactive measures such as strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving access to education and resources, and addressing socioeconomic disparities are essential for mitigating the impact of infectious diseases on vulnerable populations. Additionally, international collaboration, robust surveillance systems, and equitable distribution of resources are crucial for effectively managing emerging infectious diseases on a global scale.