68 p. : ill., graphs, tablesAt the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Data, Strategy and Innovation group of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific collaborated with eight historians to delve into the history of pandemics. This report captures their analysis of 14 interconnected themes that have significance for past and future pandemics. These are: pandemic narratives; social contracts; data and trust; mental health and emotional suffering; rumours and conspiracy; changed behaviours; international versus national interests; political and social movements; getting the response right; inequalities; community; innovations; the environment; and the economy. By understanding historical precedents, health decision-makers can better respond to future public health threats.
Authors
- Published in
- Manila : WHO
Table of Contents
- Contents 5
- Contributors 6
- Executive summary 9
- Introduction 13
- 14 Key Themes 14
- Theme one: Pandemic narratives 15
- Theme two: Social contracts 19
- Theme three: Data and trust 22
- Theme four: Mental health and emotional suffering 25
- Theme five: Rumours and conspiracy 28
- Theme six: Changed behaviours 31
- Theme seven: International versus national interests 34
- Theme eight: Political and social movements 37
- Theme nine: Getting the response right 40
- Theme ten: Inequalities 43
- Theme eleven: Community 46
- Theme twelve: Innovation 49
- Theme thirteen: Environment 52
- Theme fourteen: Economy 55
- References 59
