Suite of living evidence syntheses about public health and social measures to prevent transmission of respiratory infectious diseases

This suite of living evidence syntheses (LES) aims to describe the effectiveness of, and adherence to, public health and social measures (PHSMs) for reducing transmission of respiratory infectious diseases. It also aims to identify knowledge gaps in the scientific literature and potential negative outcomes associated with these PHSMs.

The overarching question addressed the suite of LESs is: What is the best-available evidence about each of the effectiveness of PHSMs (quarantine and isolation, masks, ventilation, physical distancing, reduction of contacts, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, cleaning, and disinfecting), as well as combinations of and adherence to these measures, in preventing transmission of respiratory infectious diseases?

Each of the living evidence syntheses in the suite used a common approach to risk of bias assessment, which is described here.

Title/question
(if in progress) 		Synthesis product type
(product #) 		Status Date of last search
(and publication)
Effectiveness of COVID-19 quarantine and isolation for reducing transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, as well as impacting other individual and social outcomes in non-health care community-based settings LES 13.1Complete 20 March 2023 (16 October 2023)
Effectiveness of masks for reducing transmission of COVID-19 in non-healthcare community-based settings LES 14.1aComplete3 March 2023 (16 October 2023)
Unintended consequences/outcomes of masking in response to COVID-19 in non-health care community-based settings LES 14.1bComplete22 February 2023 (16 October 2023)
Effectiveness of ventilation for reducing transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections in non-health care community-based settings LES 15.1Complete3 March 2023 (16 October 2023)
Effectiveness of measures to reduce contacts for reducing transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections in non-health care community-based settings LES 16.1aComplete 3 March 2023 (16 October 2023)
Effectiveness of physical distancing in reducing transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections in non-health care community-based settings LES 16.1bComplete3 March 2023 (16 October 2023)
Effectiveness of hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette for reducing transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in non-health care community-based settings LES 17.1Complete16 December 2022 (16 October 2023)
Effectiveness of cleaning and disinfecting for reducing transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections in non-health care community-based settings LES 18.1Complete14 March 2023 (16 October 2023)
Effectiveness of interventions for promoting adherence to PHSMs for preventing COVID-19 and other respiratory infections in non-health care community-based settings LES 19.1Complete3 March 2023 (16 October 2023)
Effectiveness of combinations of public health and social measures over time and across jurisdictions for reducing transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections in non-healthcare community-based settings LES 20.1Complete3 March 2023 (16 October 2023)