Framing post-pandemic preparedness: Comparing eight European plans

Area of Science:

• Global Health Governance
• Pandemic Preparedness
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Influenza pandemics have historically been framed through security and evidence-based medicine lenses on a global scale.
• Previous research explored framing in pandemic preparedness and global health governance.
• The European Union aims for interoperable pandemic preparedness plans and coordinated member state responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the framing of pandemic preparedness and pandemic influenza within national plans from eight European countries.
• To identify common themes and variations in how these plans narrate pandemic influenza.
• To assess the implications of divergent framings for EU coordination and interoperability goals.

Main Methods:

• Content analysis of pandemic preparedness plans published after 2009 from eight European countries.
• Identification and comparison of how key themes such as 'uncertainty', 'pandemic phases', 'risk management', 'vulnerability', and 'surveillance' are framed.

Main Results:

• All analyzed plans reference common themes including 'uncertainty', 'pandemic phases', 'risk management', 'vulnerability', and 'surveillance'.
• Significant divergence was found in how these core themes are framed across the different national preparedness plans.
• These variations in framing present challenges to the EU's objective of achieving interoperable plans and coordinated action.

Conclusions:

• National differences in framing pandemic influenza preparedness pose a significant obstacle to EU-wide coordination.
• The divergence challenges the interoperability of pandemic preparedness plans among European member states.
• Addressing these framing disparities is crucial for effective collective response to future pandemics.