Pre-conference: Assessing COVID-19 response strategies: lessons, legacies and future preparedness

Wednesday 8 November, 9:00 – 17:00 Dublin time (network lunch included)

Organised by:

Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland 

Introduction

In May 2023, the World Health Organization declared an end to the global emergency status for the COVID-19 pandemic after more than three years. As we transition from crisis management to addressing the lasting effects of the pandemic, it becomes crucial to critically assess the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on European health systems. With over 200,000 scientific papers already published on the topic, COVID-19 is poised to become one of the most extensively studied pandemics. This surge in research raises important questions about the legacies and lessons learned for public health. Can we foster a commitment and interest within the public health community to engage in these discussions while simultaneously addressing other pressing crises, such as a war in Europe, that require consistent political attention? Furthermore, what political, economic, social, and cultural factors should be considered when assessing the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years? In this preconference, we undertake a critical examination and evaluation of European public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to understand their potential impact on shaping and transforming health system preparedness in the future.

In this preconference, our primary focus is to undertake a critical examination and evaluation of the decisions made to control the COVID-19 crisis in Europe. We aim to understand the effectiveness and implications of these strategies in shaping and transforming health system preparedness for future challenges. By assessing and learning from the past, we strive to contribute to the advancement of evidence-based policies and practices that enhance public health resilience in the face of crises.

Programme 

The preconference programme will be available soon.

Registration

The registration fee is € 150 which includes networking lunch and refreshments.