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What have European countries done to prevent the spread of COVID-19? Lessons from the COVID-19 Health system response monitor

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  • Rajan, Selina
  • McKee, Martin
  • Hernández-Quevedo, Cristina
  • Karanikolos, Marina
  • Richardson, Erica
  • Webb, Erin
  • Cylus, Jonathan

Abstract

Although some European countries imposed measures that successfully slowed the transmission of Covid-19 during the first year of the pandemic, others struggled, either because they acted slowly or implemented measures ineffectively. In this paper we consider the European experience with public health measures designed to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Based on literature and country responses described in the COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor from March 2020 to December 2020, we consider some critical aspects of public health policy responses. These include the importance of public health capacity that can scale up surveillance and outbreak control, including effective testing and contract tracing, of clear messaging based on an understanding of human behaviour, policies that address the undesirable consequences of necessary measures, such as support for those isolating or unable to earn, and the ability to implement at pace and scale a major vaccine rollout. We conclude that for countries to be successful at preventing COVID-19 transmission, there is a need for a clear strategy with explicit goals and a whole systems approach to implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajan, Selina & McKee, Martin & Hernández-Quevedo, Cristina & Karanikolos, Marina & Richardson, Erica & Webb, Erin & Cylus, Jonathan, 2022. "What have European countries done to prevent the spread of COVID-19? Lessons from the COVID-19 Health system response monitor," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(5), pages 355-361.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:126:y:2022:i:5:p:355-361
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.03.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Czypionka, Thomas & Greenhalgh, Trisha & Schmid, Manuel & Bassler, Dirk, 2020. "Masks and face coverings for the lay public: A narrative update," SocArXiv wuk6a, Center for Open Science.
    2. Siciliani, Luigi & Wild, Claudia & McKee, Martin & Kringos, Dionne & Barry, Margaret M. & Barros, Pedro Pita & De Maeseneer, Jan & Murauskiene, Liubove & Ricciardi, Walter, 2020. "Strengthening vaccination programmes and health systems in the European Union: A framework for action," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(5), pages 511-518.
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    4. Jeffrey V Lazarus & Scott Ratzan & Adam Palayew & Francesco C Billari & Agnes Binagwaho & Spencer Kimball & Heidi J Larson & Alessia Melegaro & Kenneth Rabin & Trenton M White & Ayman El-Mohandes, 2020. "COVID-SCORE: A global survey to assess public perceptions of government responses to COVID-19 (COVID-SCORE-10)," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephen Duckett, 2022. "Public Health Management of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia: The Role of the Morrison Government," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-32, August.
    2. Ramalingam Shanmugam & Lawrence Fulton & Jose Betancourt & Gerardo J. Pacheco, 2022. "Indexing Inefficacy of Efforts to Stop Escalation of COVID Mortality," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(24), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Pagen, Demi ME & Hanssen, Daniëlle AT & van Loo, Inge HM & Brinkhues, Stephanie & den Heijer, Casper DJ & Dukers-Muijrers, Nicole HTM & Hoebe, Christian JPA, 2024. "The association between SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and cross-border mobility for visiting family or friends among Dutch residents of a Euregional province," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    4. Karreinen, Soila & Rautiainen, Pauli & Keskimäki, Ilmo & Satokangas, Markku & Viita-aho, Marjaana & Tynkkynen, Liina-Kaisa, 2023. "Pandemic preparedness and response regulations in Finland: Experiences and implications for post-COVID-19 reforms," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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