A systematic approach to monitoring and analysing public health and social measures in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: underlying methodology and application of the PHSM database and PHSM Severity Index: updated July 2022

Overview

Public health and social measures (‎PHSM)‎ have been utilized as a tool to reduce the infection rates and disease burden throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They continue to play an important role in preventing severe disease even with vaccination campaigns well under way.

The 2022 methodology paper update introduces the PHSM Severity Index – for capturing, coding, visualizing and analysing PHSM responses to COVID-19 in countries across the WHO European Region. The PHSM Severity Index captures the types, severity and timing of PHSM implemented by a country across six main indicators. By providing standardized data on PHSM implementation, the PHSM Severity Index can support and inform the development of policy at country and regional levels.

This paper aims to present the dataset and methodology as foundations for further studies. As the situation evolves, future iterations of the Index may include further indicators, more nuanced versions of existing indicators, further coding principles and revisions of the index formula. In addition, discerning the epidemiological impact of specific PHSM and their combinations is currently a priority for policy-makers and can guide countries’ transition strategies. Analysing the impact of PHSM on COVID-19 transmission is of critical importance, especially as variants of concern bring new waves of COVID-19 cases and may challenge countries’ vaccination and response strategies.