Collaboration

The PHSM initiative is based on collaborations and contributions from multisectoral, multidisciplinary technical experts representing WHO Member States, public health agencies, academia, international organizations, communities and civil society organizations.

WHO Collaborating Center for effectiveness research on public health and social measures (PHSM) for health emergencies

The Centre for Epidemic Interventions Research at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, directed by Atle Fretheim, serves as the WHO Collaborating Centre for PHSM effectiveness research.

The designation follows a three-year collaboration in strengthening the global evidence base on PHSM which yielded the publication of a systematic overview of reviews on the effectiveness and unintended health and socio-economic consequences of PHSM implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review was jointly conducted with the American University of Beirut and the Epistemonikos Foundation.

The contributions of the Collaborating Centre will be critical to closing persisting PHSM evidence gaps and strengthening research capacity in countries. Planned activities for the designation period of 2024-2028 include:

  1. the development of study protocol templates to measure the effectiveness of and adherence to PHSM;
  2. the development of a guide on adapting and implementing study protocol templates; and
  3. evidence reviews on the effectiveness and health and socio-economic consequences of PHSM implementation during infectious disease outbreaks