Professor of the Department of Sociology, EUSP, Dr. Anna Temkina has co-authored an article written by the WHO Regional Office for Europe expert group “Cultural contexts of health and well-being” (CCH). The article has been published by Nature Human Behaviour after the virtual expert group meeting on June 12, 2020.
“Ten considerations for effectively managing the COVID-19 transition” is the response of the WHO CCH expert group to the changes provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. The publication focuses mainly on public health policies of member States of the WHO European Region.
The authors of the article caution that the restrictive measures taken to prevent the spread of new coronavirus infection can lead to undesirable consequences for the local communities. These problems are associated with the lack of public awareness, insufficient safety requirements and barriers to their implementation. Another danger is stigma and discrimination against people who are considered to be at risk for their professional and/or health status.
The publication describes ten principles by which governments and “think tanks” should help local communities in transitioning and adapting to a “new normal” life after a pandemic. Their implementation is necessary in order to provide local communities with accessible and timely information and their right to a voice, to ensure their active participation in public health decision-making.
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Photo: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse