New research shows the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted New Zealanders’ attitudes to infectious diseases, with a greater willingness to protect themselves and an expectation that others will act to prevent the spread of disease.
The Ministry of Health has published a new report today examining public attitudes and behaviours to public health measures.
The report is titled: Life since the pandemic: How the COVID-19 pandemic experience has shaped public attitudes and beliefs on public health, infectious disease and vaccination.
It is the first in a series of four reports that will be published this year. Public Health Agency Deputy Director-General Dr Andrew Old says the research was commissioned to support public health services and policymakers to better assess what public health measures could be effective and proportionate in protecting New Zealanders from harm during a future pandemic. “This can help us ensure when we respond to new major public health risks, such as a new pandemic, our response will be supported and acted on by a broad range of New Zealanders,” Dr Old says.