Pandemic preparedness and COVID-19: an exploratory analysis of infection and fatality rates, and contextual factors associated with preparedness in 177 countries, from Jan 1, 2020, to Sept 30, 2021

Efforts to improve pandemic preparedness and response for the next pandemic might
benefit from greater investment in risk communication and community engagement strategies
to boost the confidence that individuals have in public health guidance. Our results
suggest that increasing health promotion for key modifiable risks is associated with
a reduction of fatalities in such a scenario.