Positioning digital tracing applications in France's COVID-19 pandemic management.

Albouy-Llaty, Marion; Martin, Caroline; Benamousig, Daniel; Bothorel, Eric; Munier, Gilles; Simonin, Catherine; Guéant, Jean-Louis; Rusch, Emmanuel

BACKGROUND To face the Covid19 pandemic, many European countries have developed a public health strategy with digital contact tracing (DCT) applications improving timely tracking and contact tracing. The France's independent COVID-19 Control and Society Connection Council (CCL) has been established by law in May 2020 to issue advice and recommendations on the national epidemic digital systems. OBJECTIVE We are presenting here the CCL's recommendations, the objective being to increase French DCT's uptake and utility. METHODS As the country's most vulnerable population has been subjected to greater virus exposure, stronger lockdown impact and less access to prevention and health care services, the CCL is particularly aware of health inequalities. RESULTS French apps "TousAntiCovid" had been downloaded by 13.6 million (20%) of the French population in March, 2021. To promote the use of the apps, the CCL had recommended to introduce increased communication about the app's individual and collective objectives. The CCL has also recommended the introduction of clear, simple, accessible, incentivising, non-coercive information inside the tool. In addition, the CCL recommended improving public health policies to address the needs of underprivileged. CONCLUSIONS The CCL calls for developing population empowerment with digital tools, public health culture for decision-makers dealing with health determinants, taking social considerations into account, and incorporating community participation.