• DOI:10.34172/aim.2021.37
• Corpus ID: 233294833

COVID-19 and Comparative Health Policy Learning; the Experience of 10 Countries.

@article{Raoofi2021COVID19AC,
  title={COVID-19 and Comparative Health Policy Learning; the Experience of 10 Countries.},
  author={Azam Raoofi and Amirhossein Takian and Hajar Haghighi and Afsaneh Rajizadeh and Zeinab Rezaei and Samera Radmerikhi and Alireza Olyaeemanesh and Ali Akbari Sari},
  journal={Archives of Iranian medicine},
  year={2021},
  volume={24 3},
  pages={
          260-272
        }
}

• Azam Raoofi, Amirhossein Takian, +5 authors A. Akbari Sari
• Published 1 March 2021
• Medicine, Political Science
• Archives of Iranian medicine

BACKGROUND
Since December 2019, the world has been facing one of the most critical health threats of the last decades. In March 2021, the official number of deaths passed 2.6 million worldwide. Most countries have developed policies to control the disease. Nevertheless, countries have experienced different outcomes related to their various adapted policies. Complementing our first report, in this article, we report our findings of comparing the policies adopted to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Iran, with those from nine selected countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy, to draw evidence-informed policy lessons.

METHODS
This is a qualitative study conducted based on document analysis related to COVID-19 policies in Iran and nine selected countries. Using a deductive approach, data were extracted and analyzed based on the components of the WHO Building Blocks Framework. Finally, we compared the Iranian policies with the nine selected countries.

RESULTS
Documents analysis revealed a spectrum of policies, which have led to a variety of outcomes. Based on our findings, three main strategies (widespread testing, comprehensive contact tracing, and timely measures) were the most effective directions to combat COVID-19.

CONCLUSION
The experience of the first and second waves of COVID-19 showed that the risk of coronavirus is serious and will continue until a vaccine or decisive treatment is achieved. Therefore, countries are required to adopt appropriate and tailored policies to deal with this crisis effectively. Applying the experiences from the previous waves is essential for more efficient performance in the likely upcoming waves.