Concurrent with the 7th Rapid Exchange Forum, the first Special Edition REF took place. To avoid duplication of work, we believe it is highly relevant to be aware of other international activities, mechanisms and expert groups already in place, or established during the pancemic, which exchange information on population health developments that require rapid action. 

To shed light on such activities, REF Special Editions invite key guests from relevant international organisations to report on their main activities, boards/expert groups, and different COVID-19 actions. 

The guest speakers for the first Special Edition REF were:

• Eurostat – Giampaolo Lanzieri
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – Gaetan Lafortune
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) – Howard Needham
• The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (OBS) – Marina Karanikolos