B1 Other refereed article (e.g., editorial, letter, comment) in a scientific journal
Community Involvement in COVID-19 Management: A Central Component of Comprehensive Public Health Responses to COVID-19 and Future Health Crises
Authors: Aghakhani, Nader; Ewalds-Kvist, Beatrice Marianne; Azami, Mehdi; Rarani, Saeid Amini
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
Publishing place: CAMBRIDGE
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
Journal name in source: DISASTER MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS
Journal acronym: DISASTER MED PUBLIC
Article number: e327
Volume: 18
Number of pages: 2
ISSN: 1935-7893
eISSN: 1938-744X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.301
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : No Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.301
The COVID-19 pandemic is highly contagious, with symptoms such as myalgia, cough, fever, and weakness, posing a greater risk to older adults and individuals with chronic conditions. Effective management requires meaningful community involvement to reduce health inequalities and ensure people-centered health care. Engaging local voices, including leaders, health care professionals, and vulnerable populations, enhances decision-making, transparent communication, and resource mobilization. A whole-community approach, involving collaboration across various sectors, strengthens prevention, testing, and recovery efforts. By prioritizing vulnerable groups and adapting interventions to local contexts, community engagement plays a vital role in addressing the pandemic's challenges and building a resilient health care system. This strategy not only aids in managing the current crisis but also prepares public health systems for future emergencies, emphasizing equity and comprehensive public health responses.
