Can applying behaviour change principles make public health policies more impactful and sustainable?

Abstract

Abstract Issue/problem The incorporation of evidence-based recommendations into policy documents and health guidance often does not lead to measurable changes in public health outcomes. Description of the problem All the preventative measures of COVID-19 were behavioural in nature, e.g., getting vaccinated, wearing masks, physically and socially distancing, getting tested, etc. However, most government policies did not consider behavioural science or behaviour change frameworks when crafting them. This led to a significant reduction in trust in governments and a resistance to the evolving policies. Results Through the international iCARE study (www.icarestudy.com), we captured data throughout the pandemic on people's capabilities, opportunities, and motivation to engage in COVID-19 prevention behaviours, as well as their actual behaviours. This data has led to key insights into how policies could have been crafted to actively engage individuals in the varying measures that they needed to undertake to reduce the impact of COVID-19. Lessons learned The incorporation of behaviour change principles in the development and implementation of policies has the potential to engage more shareholders and drive behaviour change. However, more evidence is needed to determine the optimal way to do so, and to assess the effectiveness of these efforts in improving public health outcomes. To achieve this, a rigorous monitoring plan is necessary to evaluate the impact of policy changes and health guidance on public health outcomes.