The COVID-19 pandemic shined a spotlight on health disparities and the unmet needs of underserved groups. The one-size-fits all policy and practice approach during the COVID-19 pandemic did not reach certain subgroups of the population. Information campaigns, access to vaccination and testing facilities were not tailored to the barriers experienced in some communities. This calls for the use of behavioural insights to tailor interventions according to the needs and circumstances of underserved groups.

Against this background, the PDPC has initiated the Underserved Groups project. In October, the Pandemic Disaster and Preparedness Center will release a report entitled “Barriers and drivers influencing people’s behaviour towards COVID-19 public health and social measures (PHSM) in the Netherlands.” Using the WHO Tailoring Health Programmes (THP) approach, we performed the first phase of the THP approach: a situation analysis. The objective was threefold: to identify population subgroups, gain an overview of barriers and drivers to COVID-19 PHSM among sub groups, and interventions and research initiated in the Netherlands.

In light of this report, we would like to invite you to a webinar where several speakers will share their experience, give practical examples of local, bottom-up interventions, and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that no one is left behind in the next pandemic.

Webinar: ‘Underserved Groups’

Date: October 3, 2023

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm CEST

Location: Online (Zoom)

Speakers:

• Valérie Eijrond, Researcher PDPC, and Nora Bünemann, Project manager Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Katrine Habersaat, Technical Officer, Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit, WHO Regional Office for Europe
• Mattijs Lambooij, Senior researcher RIVM and Associate professor Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management
• Shakib Sana, GP and PhD candidate, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Dr. Anja Schreijer, Medical Director PDPC, will moderate the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you there! For those unable to attend, we will record this session and share the recording afterwards on the PDPC website.

Questions about this event? E-mail: pdpc@erasmusmc.nl

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