Strengthening emergency response for societal crisis – appraisal of intercultural health communication strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of inclusive communication strategies during crises reflecting the needs and contexts of various population subgroups in any given society.

Number of COVID-19 cases and deaths from it has been substantially higher among foreign-born population in Sweden, especially in Stockholm. There is a lack of research and models for intercultural health communication in crises such as a pandemic.

The overarching aim of this study is to strengthen future emergency response from a public health security perspective during pandemics, epidemics and other societal crises by appraising intercultural communication strategies employed in Region Stockholm during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through a scientific and rigorous appraisal of existing initiatives of intercultural COVID-19 communication, this study explores how crisis information related to health can best be communicated to groups with limited knowledge of the Swedish language and the Swedish healthcare system.

The project is an empirical study mainly using qualitative methodology—i.e., individual as well as focus group interview design, both on micro (individual experiences) and meso (interaction between micro levels and the response by regional institutions and authorities) levels.

Results from the study will contribute to establishing of ‘best practices’ for intercultural communication during crisis situations such as a pandemic.