Exploratory Literature Review of the Role of National Public Health Institutes in COVID-19 Response

Abstract

To help explain the diversity of COVID-19 outcomes by country, research teams worldwide are studying national government response efforts. However, these attempts have not focused on a critical national authority that exists in half of the countries in the world: national public health institutes (NPHIs). NPHIs serve as an institutional home for public health systems and expertise and play a leading role in epidemic responses. To characterize the role of NPHIs in the COVID-19 response, we conducted a descriptive literature review that explored the research documented during March 2020–May 2021. We conducted a name-based search of 61 NPHIs in the literature, representing over half of the world’s NPHIs. We identified 33 peer-reviewed and 300 gray articles for inclusion. We describe the most common NPHI-led COVID-19 activities that are documented and identify gaps in the literature. Our findings underscore the value of NPHIs for epidemic control and establish a foundation for primary research.

Surveillance system integration: reporting the results of a global multicountry survey

“…This was especially true for HICs and countries with more developed IDS. As has been noted elsewhere in the context of COVID-19 surveillance, 17 this suggests an important role for NPHIs in the development and functioning of IDS. It may also reflect, both historically and in relation to COVID-19, 18 – 20 that the creation of an NPHI in a country is part of an enhanced strategy towards better disease control, prevention, and response and therefore an indicator of a more mature public health system.…”

Global Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…CDC-supported Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) ( 15 , 16 ), Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Fellowships ( 17 ), and national public health institutes (NPHIs) ( 18 ) have contributed to leadership, disease detection and surveillance, and response and workforce capacity during the pandemic. Bell et al described contributions to COVID-19 preparedness and response from 32 FETPs with 2,300 trainees and ≈7,400 graduates, representing >80 countries and 3 regions ( 15 ).…”

“…Since 2013, CDC has offered the PHEM Fellowship to develop an international emergency response workforce; an assessment examined PHEM graduates’ roles during the pandemic ( 17 ). Zuber et al reviewed the pivotal role NPHIs have played in pandemic response and identify gaps and priorities for further research ( 18 ).…”