Impacts of public health and social measures on COVID-19 in Europe: a review and modified Delphi technique
IntroductionThe emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 led countries to implement a set of public health and social measures (PHSMs) attempting to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study aims to review the existing literature regarding key results of the PHSMs that were impl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1226922/full |
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| author | Marília Silva Paulo Marília Silva Paulo Mariana Peyroteo Mariana Peyroteo Mariana Peyroteo Mélanie R. Maia Mélanie R. Maia Cara Pries Claudia Habl Luís Velez Lapão Luís Velez Lapão Luís Velez Lapão Luís Velez Lapão |
| author_facet | Marília Silva Paulo Marília Silva Paulo Mariana Peyroteo Mariana Peyroteo Mariana Peyroteo Mélanie R. Maia Mélanie R. Maia Cara Pries Claudia Habl Luís Velez Lapão Luís Velez Lapão Luís Velez Lapão Luís Velez Lapão |
| author_sort | Marília Silva Paulo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 led countries to implement a set of public health and social measures (PHSMs) attempting to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study aims to review the existing literature regarding key results of the PHSMs that were implemented, and to identify the PHSMs considered to have most impacted the epidemiological curve of COVID-19 over the last years during different stages of the pandemic.MethodsThe PHSM under study were selected from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT), supplemented by topics presented during the Rapid Exchange Forum (REF) meetings in the scope of the Population Health Information Research Infrastructure (PHIRI) project (H2020). The evidence- based review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to identify which reviews have already been published about each PHSMs and their results. In addition, two modified Delphi panel surveys were conducted among subject matter experts from 30 European countries to uphold the results found.ResultsThere were 3,212 studies retrieved from PubMed, 162 full texts assessed for eligibility and 35 included in this PHSMs summary. The measures with clearest evidence on their positive impact from the evidence-based review include social distancing, hygiene measures, mask measures and testing policies. From the modified Delphi panel, the PHSMs considered most significant in the four periods analyzed were case isolation at home, face coverings, testing policy, and social distancing, respectively.DiscussionThe evidence found has significant implications for both researchers and policymakers. The study of PHSMs’ impact on COVID-19 illustrates lessons learned for future pan- and epidemics, serving as a contribution to the health systems resilience discussion. These lessons, drawn from both the available scientific evidence and the perspectives of relevant subject matter experts, should also be considered in educational and preparedness programs and activities in the public health space. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:41:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9fde0617a5194282afe313d251ace9a9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:41:50Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-9fde0617a5194282afe313d251ace9a92023-08-31T15:17:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652023-08-011110.3389/fpubh.2023.12269221226922Impacts of public health and social measures on COVID-19 in Europe: a review and modified Delphi techniqueMarília Silva Paulo0Marília Silva Paulo1Mariana Peyroteo2Mariana Peyroteo3Mariana Peyroteo4Mélanie R. Maia5Mélanie R. Maia6Cara Pries7Claudia Habl8Luís Velez Lapão9Luís Velez Lapão10Luís Velez Lapão11Luís Velez Lapão12CHRC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalInstitute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesCHRC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalUNIDEMI, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, PortugalLASI, Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes, Guimarães, PortugalUNIDEMI, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, PortugalLASI, Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes, Guimarães, PortugalGesundheit Österreich GmbH (Austrian National Public Health Institute), Vienna, AustriaGesundheit Österreich GmbH (Austrian National Public Health Institute), Vienna, AustriaCHRC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalUNIDEMI, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, PortugalLASI, Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes, Guimarães, PortugalWHO Collaborating Center for Health Workforce Policy and Planning, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalIntroductionThe emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 led countries to implement a set of public health and social measures (PHSMs) attempting to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study aims to review the existing literature regarding key results of the PHSMs that were implemented, and to identify the PHSMs considered to have most impacted the epidemiological curve of COVID-19 over the last years during different stages of the pandemic.MethodsThe PHSM under study were selected from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT), supplemented by topics presented during the Rapid Exchange Forum (REF) meetings in the scope of the Population Health Information Research Infrastructure (PHIRI) project (H2020). The evidence- based review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to identify which reviews have already been published about each PHSMs and their results. In addition, two modified Delphi panel surveys were conducted among subject matter experts from 30 European countries to uphold the results found.ResultsThere were 3,212 studies retrieved from PubMed, 162 full texts assessed for eligibility and 35 included in this PHSMs summary. The measures with clearest evidence on their positive impact from the evidence-based review include social distancing, hygiene measures, mask measures and testing policies. From the modified Delphi panel, the PHSMs considered most significant in the four periods analyzed were case isolation at home, face coverings, testing policy, and social distancing, respectively.DiscussionThe evidence found has significant implications for both researchers and policymakers. The study of PHSMs’ impact on COVID-19 illustrates lessons learned for future pan- and epidemics, serving as a contribution to the health systems resilience discussion. These lessons, drawn from both the available scientific evidence and the perspectives of relevant subject matter experts, should also be considered in educational and preparedness programs and activities in the public health space.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1226922/fullCOVID-19health policypublic health and social measuresnon-pharmaceutical interventionsmodified Delphi expert consensus process |
| spellingShingle | Marília Silva Paulo Marília Silva Paulo Mariana Peyroteo Mariana Peyroteo Mariana Peyroteo Mélanie R. Maia Mélanie R. Maia Cara Pries Claudia Habl Luís Velez Lapão Luís Velez Lapão Luís Velez Lapão Luís Velez Lapão Impacts of public health and social measures on COVID-19 in Europe: a review and modified Delphi technique Frontiers in Public Health COVID-19 health policy public health and social measures non-pharmaceutical interventions modified Delphi expert consensus process |
| title | Impacts of public health and social measures on COVID-19 in Europe: a review and modified Delphi technique |
| title_full | Impacts of public health and social measures on COVID-19 in Europe: a review and modified Delphi technique |
| title_fullStr | Impacts of public health and social measures on COVID-19 in Europe: a review and modified Delphi technique |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impacts of public health and social measures on COVID-19 in Europe: a review and modified Delphi technique |
| title_short | Impacts of public health and social measures on COVID-19 in Europe: a review and modified Delphi technique |
| title_sort | impacts of public health and social measures on covid 19 in europe a review and modified delphi technique |
| topic | COVID-19 health policy public health and social measures non-pharmaceutical interventions modified Delphi expert consensus process |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1226922/full |
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