Evaluation of the public health measures introduced during the coronavirus pandemic: Evidence-based risk communication must be a central topic

Z Evid Fortbild Qual Gesundhwes. 2024 Apr 15:S1865-9217(24)00052-7. doi: 10.1016/j.zefq.2024.03.004. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTEvidence-based and comprehensible health information is a key element of evidence-based medicine and public health. The goal is informed decision-making based on realistic estimations of health risks and accurate expectations about benefits and harms of interventions. In Germany, standards of evidence-based risk information were poorly followed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequently, public information was biased, fragmentary and misleading. Pandemic-related threat scenarios induced emotional distress and unnecessary anxiety. A systematic and comprehensive evaluation of the pandemic measures is crucial, but still pending in Germany. A critical analysis of risk communication by experts, politicians and the media during the pandemic should be a key element of the evaluation process. Evaluation of decision making and media reporting during the pandemic should improve preparedness for future crises.PMID:38627175 | DOI:10.1016/j.zefq.2024.03.004
Source: Zeitschrift fur Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualitat im Gesundheitswesen - Category: Health Management Authors: Source Type: research