Sadra Medical Journal

Designing a Policy Package for Responding to Epidemics: A Case Study of COVID-19

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Najmeh Hosseini 1
Ali Asghar Pour Ezzat 2
Albert Boghosian 3

1 Department of Public Management - Decision-Making and Public Policy, Tehran University, Kish International Campus, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Economics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/smsj.2025.104320.1567
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, as a global challenge, necessitates effective policy responses at the national level. Considering Iran’s extensive experience with this pandemic and the diversity of measures implemented, determining and evaluating effective policies in this specific context is paramount. This study aimed to design a coherent policy package to improve Iran’s epidemic response. 
Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods approach in two primary stages. The first stage involved a systematic review of literature from 2020 to 2023 to identify key policies for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the second stage, these identified policies were validated and prioritized through a structured survey of 10 experts in policymaking and crisis management. Subsequently, using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method, the hierarchical and causal relationships among the policies were analyzed, culminating in the design of an integrated policy package.
Results: The findings indicated that the policies for confronting COVID-19 focused on achieving equitable access to vaccines and designing a comprehensive treatment package. They emphasized the necessity for policy flexibility to address viral mutations and for adopting a unified global approach to mitigate risks from infectious diseases. The quantitative analysis using ISM and DEMATEL revealed that among the three core policies identified, ‘Expanding Equitable Access’ and ‘Enhancing Response Flexibility’ held the strongest structural influence and were positioned at the first hierarchical level. In contrast, ‘Adopting a Unified Global Approach’ demonstrated lower influence and was placed at the second level. 
Conclusion: The findings suggested that policies focused on expanding equitable access (beyond vaccines) and enhancing the flexibility of the response package served as critical prerequisites for effectively implementing a unified global approach to reduce risks from infectious diseases.

Keywords

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Policy
Epidemics
COVID-19
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Sadra Medical Journal
Volume 13, Issue 4
Autumn 2025
Pages 722-735

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