Table 1

Recommendations mapped and cross-referenced to narrative synthesis

Recommendation	Cross-reference to narrative synthesis in online supplemental appendix 6
(1) Engaging with key stakeholders and communities
(1a) Involve community leaders and others perceived as credible sources within the community	Community engagement Messages for subpopulations Increase trust
(1b) Tailoring helps to make the key messages applicable to an individual’s situation
(1c) Consider any difficulties accessing information and levels of literacy
(1d) Use different media for delivery and match delivery to the population’s needs and perceptions
(2) Addressing uncertainty immediately with transparency
(2a) Address uncertainty and changing information that may exist during an ongoing public health crisis	Increase trust Preconceptions and understanding threat Timing—beginning of health crisis
(2b) Consistency and coordination between different sources of information
(2c) Be transparent: admit errors and unknowns whenever appropriate
(2d) Be transparent: identify sources of information
(3) Unified messages
(3a) Make core messages consistent	Increase trust Threat appraisal Preconceptions and understanding threat
(3b) Identify inconsistencies across sources
(3c) Increase awareness of the risks of the virus to their own health and the health of others
(4) Message framing
(4a) Increase understanding of health threat	Preconceptions and understanding threat Threat appraisal Community engagement
(4b) Consider social responsibility
(4c) Language choice to explain severity
(4d) Promote sense of personal control