{"entity": "journal", "iuid": "43dcade54c2d411f9b93dbf0cc347f73", "timestamp": "2026-08-20T21:38:41.677Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/journal/Eur%20J%20Public%20Health.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/journal/Eur%20J%20Public%20Health"}}, "title": "Eur J Public Health", "issn": "1464-360X", "issn-l": null, "publications_count": 1, "publications": [{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "c751c5649f1e4c66a33a05c363b1497c", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/c751c5649f1e4c66a33a05c363b1497c.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/c751c5649f1e4c66a33a05c363b1497c"}}, "title": "A regression discontinuity analysis of the social distancing recommendations for older adults in Sweden during COVID-19.", "authors": [{"family": "Bonander", "given": "Carl", "initials": "C", "orcid": "0000-0002-1189-9950", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/b2e904316920419ba1063c94e75b4082.json"}}, {"family": "Stranges", "given": "Debora", "initials": "D", "orcid": "0000-0002-1782-8563", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/eed2651c582246a281eb6f661396e297.json"}}, {"family": "Gustavsson", "given": "Johanna", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Almgren", "given": "Matilda", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Inghammar", "given": "Malin", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Moghaddassi", "given": "Mahnaz", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Nilsson", "given": "Anton", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0001-5774-7189", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/6389392147344c02beb6c781e350b14c.json"}}, {"family": "Capdevila Pujol", "given": "Joan", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Steves", "given": "Claire", "initials": "C"}, {"family": "Franks", "given": "Paul W", "initials": "PW"}, {"family": "Gomez", "given": "Maria F", "initials": "MF"}, {"family": "Fall", "given": "Tove", "initials": "T"}, {"family": "Bj\u00f6rk", "given": "Jonas", "initials": "J", "orcid": "0000-0003-1883-2000", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/0e898da2ed624022a2da0ec479797d16.json"}}, {"family": "COVID Symptom Study Sweden", "given": "", "initials": ""}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2022-10-03", "journal": {"title": "Eur J Public Health", "issn": "1464-360X", "volume": "32", "issue": "5", "pages": "799-806", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "This article investigates the impact of a non-mandatory and age-specific social distancing recommendation on isolation behaviours and disease outcomes in Sweden during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (March to July 2020). The policy stated that people aged 70 years or older should avoid crowded places and contact with people outside the household.\n\nWe used a regression discontinuity design-in combination with self-reported isolation data from COVID Symptom Study Sweden (n = 96 053; age range: 39-79 years) and national register data (age range: 39-100+ years) on severe COVID-19 disease (hospitalization or death, n = 21 804) and confirmed cases (n = 48 984)-to estimate the effects of the policy.\n\nOur primary analyses showed a sharp drop in the weekly number of visits to crowded places (-13%) and severe COVID-19 cases (-16%) at the 70-year threshold. These results imply that the age-specific recommendations prevented approximately 1800-2700 severe COVID-19 cases, depending on model specification.\n\nIt seems that the non-mandatory, age-specific recommendations helped control COVID-19 disease during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, as opposed to not implementing a social distancing policy aimed at older adults. Our study provides empirical data on how populations may react to non-mandatory, age-specific social distancing policies in the face of a novel virus.", "doi": "10.1093/eurpub/ckac101", "pmid": "35962987", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC9384721"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "6665904"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T09:40:57.167Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T09:40:57.357Z"}], "created": "2026-08-20T09:40:57.321Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T09:40:57.322Z"}