The indirect health impacts of COVID19 restrictions: a strong debate informed by weak evidence

O_TEXTBOXKEY MESSAGES O_LIThere has been concern, and much heated debate, on the possible negative effects of restrictions, stay-at-home orders and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. C_LIO_LIMost published studies on health impacts of restrictions and lockdowns are low quality and often severely biased. C_LIO_LIFocusing on the few studies that approximate a change in restrictions alone (i.e. not the impact of the pandemic per se), we see clear adverse impacts of lockdowns on intimate partner violence and physical activity. Regarding diseases, road traffic crashes decrease, and anxiety increases. C_LIO_LIA discussion driven by science (not politics) is urgently needed on what lockdowns can deliver, their limitations and how to optimally deploy them - along other public health strategies - in the fight against COVID-19. C_LI C_TEXTBOX