Managing borders during public health emergencies of international concern: a proposed typology of cross-border health measures
Abstract Background The near universal adoption of cross-border health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide has prompted significant debate about their effectiveness and compliance with international law. The number of measures used, and the range of measures applied, have far exceeded pr...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Globalization and Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-021-00709-0 |
| _version_ | 1819001388389105664 |
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| author | Kelley Lee Karen A. Grépin Catherine Worsnop Summer Marion Julianne Piper Mingqi Song |
| author_facet | Kelley Lee Karen A. Grépin Catherine Worsnop Summer Marion Julianne Piper Mingqi Song |
| author_sort | Kelley Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The near universal adoption of cross-border health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide has prompted significant debate about their effectiveness and compliance with international law. The number of measures used, and the range of measures applied, have far exceeded previous public health emergencies of international concern. However, efforts to advance research, policy and practice to support their effective use has been hindered by a lack of clear and consistent definition. Results Based on a review of existing datasets for cross-border health measures, such as the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker and World Health Organization Public Health and Social Measures, along with analysis of secondary and grey literature, we propose six categories to define measures more clearly and consistently – policy goal, type of movement (travel and trade), adopted by public or private sector, level of jurisdiction applied, stage of journey, and degree of restrictiveness. These categories are then brought together into a proposed typology that can support research with generalizable findings and comparative analyses across jurisdictions. Addressing the current gaps in evidence about travel measures, including how different jurisdictions apply such measures with varying effects, in turn, enhances the potential for evidence-informed decision-making based on fuller understanding of policy trade-offs and externalities. Finally, through the adoption of standardized terminology and creation of an agreed evidentiary base recognized across jurisdictions, the typology can support efforts to strengthen coordinated global responses to outbreaks and inform future efforts to revise the WHO International Health Regulations (2005). Conclusions The widespread use of cross-border health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted significant reflection on available evidence, previous practice and existing legal frameworks. The typology put forth in this paper aims to provide a starting point for strengthening research, policy and practice. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T22:48:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4bbc4a6f18e148f99ea9aa32f29bdb47 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1744-8603 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T22:48:25Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Globalization and Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-4bbc4a6f18e148f99ea9aa32f29bdb472022-12-21T19:24:19ZengBMCGlobalization and Health1744-86032021-06-0117111910.1186/s12992-021-00709-0Managing borders during public health emergencies of international concern: a proposed typology of cross-border health measuresKelley Lee0Karen A. Grépin1Catherine Worsnop2Summer Marion3Julianne Piper4Mingqi Song5Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser UniversitySchool of Public Health, University of Hong KongSchool of Public Policy, University of MarylandSchool of Public Policy, University of MarylandFaculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser UniversitySchool of Public Health, University of Hong KongAbstract Background The near universal adoption of cross-border health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide has prompted significant debate about their effectiveness and compliance with international law. The number of measures used, and the range of measures applied, have far exceeded previous public health emergencies of international concern. However, efforts to advance research, policy and practice to support their effective use has been hindered by a lack of clear and consistent definition. Results Based on a review of existing datasets for cross-border health measures, such as the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker and World Health Organization Public Health and Social Measures, along with analysis of secondary and grey literature, we propose six categories to define measures more clearly and consistently – policy goal, type of movement (travel and trade), adopted by public or private sector, level of jurisdiction applied, stage of journey, and degree of restrictiveness. These categories are then brought together into a proposed typology that can support research with generalizable findings and comparative analyses across jurisdictions. Addressing the current gaps in evidence about travel measures, including how different jurisdictions apply such measures with varying effects, in turn, enhances the potential for evidence-informed decision-making based on fuller understanding of policy trade-offs and externalities. Finally, through the adoption of standardized terminology and creation of an agreed evidentiary base recognized across jurisdictions, the typology can support efforts to strengthen coordinated global responses to outbreaks and inform future efforts to revise the WHO International Health Regulations (2005). Conclusions The widespread use of cross-border health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted significant reflection on available evidence, previous practice and existing legal frameworks. The typology put forth in this paper aims to provide a starting point for strengthening research, policy and practice.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-021-00709-0COVID-19Cross-border health measuresBorder managementTravel measuresTrade measuresInternational Health Regulations |
| spellingShingle | Kelley Lee Karen A. Grépin Catherine Worsnop Summer Marion Julianne Piper Mingqi Song Managing borders during public health emergencies of international concern: a proposed typology of cross-border health measures Globalization and Health COVID-19 Cross-border health measures Border management Travel measures Trade measures International Health Regulations |
| title | Managing borders during public health emergencies of international concern: a proposed typology of cross-border health measures |
| title_full | Managing borders during public health emergencies of international concern: a proposed typology of cross-border health measures |
| title_fullStr | Managing borders during public health emergencies of international concern: a proposed typology of cross-border health measures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Managing borders during public health emergencies of international concern: a proposed typology of cross-border health measures |
| title_short | Managing borders during public health emergencies of international concern: a proposed typology of cross-border health measures |
| title_sort | managing borders during public health emergencies of international concern a proposed typology of cross border health measures |
| topic | COVID-19 Cross-border health measures Border management Travel measures Trade measures International Health Regulations |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-021-00709-0 |
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