Standards for evidence in policy decision-making
Kai Ruggeri, Sander van der Linden, Claire Wang, Francesca Papa, J. Riesch, James Green
Abstract
Benefits from applying scientific evidence to policy have long been recognized by experts on both ends of the science-policy interface. The COVID-19 pandemic declared in March 2020 urgently demands robust inputs for policymaking, whether biomedical, behavioral, epidemiological, or logistical. Unfortunately, this need arises at a time of growing misinformation and poorly vetted facts repeated by influential sources, meaning there has never been a more critical time to implement standards for evidence. In this piece, we present a framework to limit risks while also providing a reasonable pathway for applying breakthroughs in treatments and policy solutions, stemming the harm already impacting the well-being of populations around the world. Final version here: go.nature.com/2zdTQIs