Co-producing the covid-19 response in Germany, Hong Kong, Lebanon, and Pakistan

Abstract

Using scientific evidence for policy making is a challenge at the best of times, but it is particularly difficult during a global pandemic. Policy makers traditionally receive inputs from health professionals and use existing evidence to develop health policies and prioritise the most effective interventions. However, in responding to the covid-19 pandemic, policy makers are often grappling with complicated decisions based on evidence that is still emerging. Even in a crisis, one way to strengthen policy making is to collaborate with researchers and other stakeholders, including the public, from the start, generating knowledge and research to inform policy through a process called co-production.