AttheonsetoftheCOVID-19pandemic,theData,StrategyandInnovationgroupoftheWHORegionalOfficefortheWesternPacificcollaboratedwitheighthistorianstodelveintothehistoryofpandemics.Thisreportcapturestheiranalysisof14interconnectedthemesthathavesignificanceforpastandfuturepandemics.Theseare:pandemicnarratives;socialcontracts;dataandtrust;mentalhealthandemotionalsuffering;rumoursandconspiracy;changedbehaviours;internationalversusnationalinterests;politicalandsocialmovements;gettingtheresponseright;inequalities;community;innovations;theenvironment;andtheeconomy.Byunderstandinghistoricalprecedents,healthdecision-makerscanbetterrespondtofuturepublichealththreats.
