Leveraging evidence for effective pandemic preparedness and response: Insights from the east African community
Keywords:
COVID-19, pandemic, evidence use, vulnerabilities, preparedness, response, policy, platforms, EAC Community.Abstract
This paper examines lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests ways to improve the utilization of evidence for pandemic preparedness and response. By facilitating collaboration between policymakers, experts from the East African Community Partner States, and conducting rapid evidence synthesis, a co-creation process known as 'EAC policy labs' was employed. The initial response to the pandemic primarily relied on epidemiological evidence, which overlooked broader vulnerabilities and social inequalities. Social science research, while abundant, often confined to academic discussions, lacked a clear connection to policy decisions due to a lack of well-defined social metrics. Evidence platforms emerged to consolidate multidisciplinary evidence, but their impact on policy decisions was limited to academic discussions. To enhance evidence uptake during future pandemics, options should include understanding policymakers' specific evidence needs, strengthening evidence hubs' functionality, and reducing risks associated with incorporating evidence into policymaking.
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