ABSTRACT
Effective responses to public health emergencies should rely on translating rapidly emerging research into timely, evidenceinformed policy and practice. The case of COVID-19 demonstrates that doing so in practice is far from straightforward. Evidence uncertainty;the "infodemic";the blurring of boundaries between science, policy and politics;and the competition between health and economic objectives, all make policy making for COVID-19 immensely complex. This article reviews these challenges and some of the tools countries have used to translate evidence into public health policy, not least multidisciplinary scientific advisory groups, which have often proved pivotal in informing government decision-making. Despite their emphasis on science and objectivity, however, they have posed questions about independence and transparency. This article explores what this means for the way decision-makers use evidence now and in the long-term, and for the role of neutral "knowledge brokers".
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has posed huge challenges for Europe's health systems but also for European solidarity. The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Commission have worked to maintain an international perspective and, as part of their efforts, called on the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Its response was the HSRM platform. HSRM helps countries systematically capture how they are tackling COVID. It allows policy makers to see immediately how others are 'governing' transmission, resources and service delivery. They can identify common issues and share practice. HSRM has also provided the raw material for cross-cutting analysis of key policy questions. This combination of information and analysis has generated learning. What's more, it has helped assert the importance of countries coming together in the face of an international health emergency.