How do local governments contribute to pandemic response? For PLOS Global Public Health, Resolve to Save Lives collaborated with colleagues at Center for Global Health Science & Security and Vital Strategies to assess government responsibilities, the timeline of response activities, challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic among members of the Partnership for Healthy Cities. Among the 25 participating cities, national authorities primarily led pandemic activities but local governments were crucial in risk communication and community coordination. Most activities occurred after COVID-19 confirmation, highlighting challenges in proactive preparedness; nearly all local authorities expressed a desire for greater involvement in future pandemic preparedness and response.
