In 2020, a virus that thrived on chronic disease and inequality became the great revealer. COVID-19 revealed the fragility of civilisations built on social injustices, short-term policies, and a dangerous disregard for the environment. The need to become more resilient to crises of all kinds is almost universally agreed on. But to construct that resilience, a philosophical change in how we care for each other and our environment must be made. Health improvement is the guiding principle to lead a recovery away from regressive policies that harm the most vulnerable (and will result in future catastrophes) and point us towards change that supports equity and sustainability, and reinvigorates the Sustainable Development Goal agenda.