TY - JOUR
T1 - Impacts of public health and social measures on COVID-19 in Europe
T2 - a review and modified Delphi technique
AU - Paulo, Marília Silva
AU - Peyroteo, Mariana
AU - Maia, Mélanie R.
AU - Pries, Cara
AU - Habl, Claudia
AU - Lapão, Luís Velez
N1 - Funding Information:
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 101018317. The present publication was also funded by Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia, IP national support through CHRC (UIDP/04923/2020).
Funding Information:
All authors would like to acknowledge the EU, H2020 project PHIRI. MSP, MM, MP, and LL would like to acknowledge the student Willie Bernardi for its help in extracting data for the study. MM and LL would like to acknowledge Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT – MCTES) for its financial support via the project UIDB/00667/2020 and UIDP/00667/2020 (UNIDEMI).
Funding Information:
All authors would like to acknowledge the EU, H2020 project PHIRI. MSP, MM, MP, and LL would like to acknowledge the student Willie Bernardi for its help in extracting data for the study. MM and LL would like to acknowledge Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT – MCTES) for its financial support via the project UIDB/00667/2020 and UIDP/00667/2020 (UNIDEMI).
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2023 Paulo, Peyroteo, Maia, Pries, Habl and Lapão.
PY - 2023/8
Y1 - 2023/8
N2 - Introduction: The 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. Methods: The 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. Results: There 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. Discussion: The 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.
AB - Introduction: The 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. Methods: The 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. Results: There 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. Discussion: The 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.
KW - COVID-19
KW - health policy
KW - modified Delphi expert consensus process
KW - non-pharmaceutical interventions
KW - public health and social measures
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85171143485&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1226922
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1226922
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85171143485
SN - 2296-2565
VL - 11
JO - Frontiers in public health
JF - Frontiers in public health
M1 - 1226922
ER -
