Early lessons from COVID-19 response and shifts in authority: public trust, policy legitimacy and political inclusion

Bekker, Marleen; Ivanković, Damir; Biermann, Olivia

doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckaa181

Cited by 23 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Hence, on the one hand, there is a high degree of uncertainty concerning what constitute adequate measures to address the pandemic with different messages being voiced by the same individual over time, even in a matter of days or hours as well as by different individuals at the same time in the same country or in different countries. However, on the other hand, the measures required to address the pandemic are extensive and demand high levels of trust for people to deviate so substantially from their daily routines [ 1 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trust and Compliance with COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors during the Pandemic

Ayalon

2021

IJERPH

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This study examined the role of trust in lay people’s health behaviors related to the current pandemic. A total of 376 Israelis completed an online questionnaire during the second lockdown. A latent profile analysis was conducted to identify profiles of individuals based on their levels of trust in the various institutions and stakeholders examined in this study. A three-profile solution was deemed most appropriate. The largest profile (N = 178) was characterized by low levels of trust in the government, but high levels of trust in science and one’s primary care provider. Next, was the generally low trust profile (N = 108), characterized by low levels of trust directed towards all stakeholders and institutes. The third profile (N = 79) was characterized by high levels of trust. Results are discussed in relation to the important role of trust in determining people’s response to the current pandemic and the unique features of Israeli society.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trust and Compliance with COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors during the Pandemic

Ayalon

2021

IJERPH

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“…Messages were created based on elements we identified in a thorough literature search regarding independent variables and were previously published [ 38 ]. Each participant received 24 combinations of messages, with only one message allowed from each category [ 40 – 43 , 51 , 53 , 54 ], and were instructed to rate the combination as a unity [ 51 , 54 ]. The rating question was: "To what extent does the following combination of messages drive your willingness to comply with physical distancing?"…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study examines which messages are strong drivers of WTC with physical distancing and which are neutral messages evoking weak responses across religious cultures. WTC with physical distancing was found to depend on: the perceived risk of the virus, the perceived benefits of physical distancing, and trust in the agent communicating the physical distancing policy [ 15 , 38 – 43 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving compliance with physical distancing across religious cultures in Israel

Gabay

Gere

Naamati-Schneider

et al. 2021

Isr J Health Policy Res

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Background Physical distancing contains the corona virus, but compliance with physical distancing across religious minorities in Israel has been shown to be relatively poorer than in the majority population. This study tests the power of messages as drivers of willingness to comply with physical distancing across religious minorities in Israel during the first wave of the COVID-19 from March till June 2020. Methods 896 Israeli Muslims, Druze, Bedouins, Jewish Orthodox, Christians, and Jewish Seculars participated in this conjoint-based experimental design. The size of the total sample and of the subgroups is consistent with the suggested size in conjoint analysis studies, particularly when aiming at stability of coefficients rather than stability of means. The dependent variable was ‘willingness to comply’. Independent variables were known contributors to compliance: perceived risk, practices of physical distancing, ways to assure compliance, and the agent communicating the policy. Results A regression analysis indicated minor differences in the power of messages across groups despite dramatic cultural differences amongst them. We identified three distinct mindsets that transcend religious cultures from the responses of the study subjects to various messages and named them “pandemic observers,” “obedient followers,” and “sensitive interpreters.” Compliance of "Pandemic Observers" (n = 306) may be improved by messages such as, “Dangerous virus spreading wildly” and “Health experts suggest what to do but the government is reactive rather than proactive” (β = 14, p < .005). Compliance of "Obedient Followers" (n = 242) may be driven by the messages “Socialize and work only from home, using the internet, e.g. zoom/Skype” and “Everyone should stay 2 m. (6 ft.) apart” (β = 16, p < .0050). Compliance of "Sensitive Interpreters" (n = 249) may be improved by messages such as, “Only people who are 60 and over are to be allowed to buy groceries during first 2 h from opening” and by using the media to publicize the official health policy (β = 8; p < .005). Conclusions Mindset-assignment reflects how people think rather than their religious affiliation. A personal viewpoint identifier was developed to predict mindset-assignment and enable health authorities to enhance compliance through mindset-tailored messages for members of each mindset segment. We recommend that health authorities and policy makers consider these different personality types, which range across religious minorities and emphasize the messages that each type responds to in developing and implementing a communication plan to improve physical distancing as an important public health measure.

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“…Prevention scientists should feel emboldened to influence policy for the betterment of society. In general, scientific evidence should and does contribute to the effectiveness of policies, a reality that legitimizes ongoing feedback between the public, researchers, and lawmakers to assure acceptability, feasibility, cultural relevance, and uptake of resultant policies (Bekker et al 2020). The field of prevention has amassed a large body of field-consensual knowledge about the prevention of virtually every common and costly health-related problem.…”

Section: Building Bridges Between Scientists Policymakers and The Pumentioning

confidence: 99%

The Pivotal Role of Prevention Science in This Syndemic

Fishbein

2020

Prev Sci

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Never before has the value of prevention science become so apparent to the populace, particularly in simultaneous fashion across all nations. A general understanding of what prevention represents in true form has lagged well behind the science and, in fact, few outside of the field recognize that there is actually a significant body of research that undergirds preventative practices, programs and policies. The current pandemic and the uneven impacts on underserved and marginalized populations has highlighted the need for proactive approaches to prevent underlying conditions that increase risk for infection, worsen the wide ranging harms from the virus, and significantly exacerbate disparities that characterize many nations. To ensure uptake of the science by end-users (e.g., community stakeholders, practitioners, policymakers), who operate the levers that determine whether resources and services are distributed equitably across societies' sectors, prevention scientists have a unique and powerful role to play. This commentary on the special issue, focused on the "culture of prevention," considers the broader issues covered in the set of original articles in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Toward that end, I also outline two interrelated "calls to action" for prevention scientists. The first call is to concertedly apply a race equity lens to all aspects of our research, a need that is particularly critical given that our field is inherently actionable and, as such, evidence amassed has potential to equalize the playing field for disadvantaged and marginalized groups. The second acknowledges the need for prevention scientists to learn how to effectively communicate scientific knowledge to the public and policymakers to compellingly advocate for reforms guided by the science. A powerful, research-backed collective advocacy can effectively sway action of governing bodies in addressing disparities and inequities for constituents who have no voice.

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Early lessons from COVID-19 response and shifts in authority: public trust, policy legitimacy and political inclusion

Cited by 23 publications

References 3 publications

Trust and Compliance with COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors during the Pandemic

Trust and Compliance with COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors during the Pandemic

Improving compliance with physical distancing across religious cultures in Israel

The Pivotal Role of Prevention Science in This Syndemic

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