Skip to main content
New WHO/Europe tool for behavioural insights: critical to inform COVID-19 response
WHO/Europe has released a new behavioural insights tool for national and local authorities developing and coordinating interventions, policies and messages for the COVID-19 response. Understanding public levels of trust, people’s perceptions of risk, and the barriers they may face in following recommended actions is critical to the effectiveness and success of pandemic response measures. Such insights into public behaviour form the basis of effective communication and can identify issues related to stigma or conspiracy myths, for example, as they emerge, thus ensuring that they are addressed quickly and effectively.
“Rapid, simple and flexible to use, this behavioural insights tool offers countries invaluable information to support and guide their COVID-19 response activities. Our success in tackling the new coronavirus depends on people being informed, willing and enabled to take the right public health action,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
“Empowering people and leveraging behavioural and cultural insights for health is one of the 4 flagship initiatives I have identified for WHO/Europe, to deliver my vision of ‘united action for better health’. Several Member States have already initiated studies to gain these COVID-19-related insights, and I strongly urge others to do so, particularly as they transition through phases of the pandemic response,” he concluded.
The new tool is available in English and Russian, and the accompanying survey can be conducted in any language and tailored to country contexts. It was developed in collaboration with the University of Erfurt, Germany, which is currently collecting data every week and sharing results with German authorities coordinating the pandemic response.
“We have conducted weekly surveys in Germany since 3 March. This has allowed us to support those responsible for pandemic response activities. For example, we have found out that the crisis has negative psychological effects, especially among younger people. With this information, we can offer targeted support. Paradoxically, these surveys have also shown that high-risk groups (aged 60+) feel less likely to contract the new coronavirus – so this is an area where we need further insights,” explained Professor Cornelia Betsch from the University of Erfurt.
“Now, we are looking into strategies for the transition period, including acceptance of digital solutions such as tracing apps, as well as the alleviation of measures or the acceptance of the contact bans among specific target groups. This allows those responsible to shape their transition measures and related communications,” she added.
By WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Read more
Novavax received funds from the US government for a vaccine against COVID-19
Novavax gets $ 1.6 billion for COVID-19 vaccine Vaccine production may begin at the end of 2020. Novavax has received $1.6 billion from the U.S. government to conduct trials and produce a potential vaccine for the disease-causing coronavirus COVID-19. It is planned that by January next year, Novavax will be able to produce and deliver 100 million doses of the new vaccine to consumers.Novavax received the largest cash grant from America's Department of Health and Human Services as part of the U.S. government's Operation Super Light Speed initiative, which aims to develop vaccines and therapies to combat COVID-19. As Stanley Erk, Novavax CEO, told Reuters - the US Department of Health has funded the production of 100 million doses of the vaccine, which is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2020 and can be completed by January-February next year. With funding from the federal government, the company will also be able to complete the third phase of the vaccine trial, n…
Betsy Devos advocated opening schools in the fall
Betsy Devos supported the opening of schools in the fall She also said that school districts and states would have to develop their own plans for opening schools taking into account the local situation. The US Secretary of Education expressed support for the presidential administration's desire to open schools by autumn."We know that children become infected with the virus much less often than any other part of the population. Nothing in the available data shows that returning children to school is dangerous for them, "said Betsy Devos, speaking in the State of the Country program on CNN. The Minister of Education did not go into detail on what recommendations her ministry would make about opening schools amid an increase in coronavirus cases…
Puerto Rico Reopening Beaches on Saturday Amid Drop in Coronavirus Cases
Puerto Rico Reopening Beaches on Saturday Amid Drop in Coronavirus Cases Puerto Rico is reopening beaches, casinos, gyms and movie theaters Saturday for three weeks, following a drop in new coronavirus cases.Gov. Wanda Vázquez said the changes on the U.S. territory will be in effect until October 2. People are still required to wear masks and maintain a safe social distance, especially at the beach. The 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew for bars and nightclubs will remain in effect. Vázquez said…