International Peace Institute (IPI)’s Post

The science is clear: the next pandemic threat is not a question of if, but when. This is a collective problem, yet humanity is struggling to put aside individual and national interests in favour of our shared global interest. How can we break this deadlock? Today, five years after COVID-19 was declared a global health emergency, The Elders publish their policy paper on Pandemic Preparedness & Response, outlining six key themes for global reform. Implementing these recommendations may not be easy, but it’s vital. Bold political leadership is needed to break the cycle of panic and neglect, protecting future generations. Read the full paper and join the call for change: https://lnkd.in/eSdpEFXm

The next global pandemic threat isn’t a possibility—it’s an inevitability. Yet, world leaders remain dangerously complacent. Five years after COVID-19 was declared a global health emergency, we are still stuck in a reckless cycle of panic and neglect. Today’s confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in Uganda’s capital, Kampala is yet another wake-up call: we are not prepared. The Elders have just released a critical policy paper outlining six urgent reforms needed for pandemic preparedness and response. These changes demand bold political leadership, the cost of inaction by our leadership is significant—lives lost, economies shattered, and systems overwhelmed. So, the question is: How much longer will world leaders wait? The next pandemic won’t wait. The time for decisive action is now. Sincere thanks to all the team at the The Elders Secretariat, those who were consulted, and the Elders themselves for working so hard to get this policy paper published and to keep this important issue on the global agenda. https://lnkd.in/eb2Qdd9D

Reflecting on the COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report and some of the reactions to it: I'm reminded of the strong theme in crisis research that the reflex to plan for the next crisis too closely based upon what happened last time is likely to miss the future mark. Which is not to say that the recommendations aren't prudent but I'm somewhat skeptical re. their ability to deal with a future pandemic any more effectively than 2020-21. Or that they will be implemented at all, given broad political pressures and processes. I'd also suggest that authoritative and coercive tools are likely to remain part of the repertoire of pandemic management - this should be the starting point for any future debate about pandemic governance, and crisis governance more broadly in the context of the Anthropocene and increasingly disastrous weather events.

🦠 With a new strand of Mpox spreading rapidly, it's crucial to stay informed. Get answers to key questions: ➡️ How is this outbreak different and why the Public Health Emergency? ➡️ What implications does this have for countries and individuals? ➡️ Who is most at risk? Watch Science In 5 for expert insights and more: https://lnkd.in/dHzKuUc6

The COVID pandemic was the most important public policy issue I have been involved with in my 30 odd years working in and around government. I was at the pointy end of a major industry's engagement with federal and state governments as we worked through the various impacts, data points, issues and responses to the pandemic. It was a 'crazy' time in many ways, and despite working with some of the best and brightest, it was obvious throughout the crisis that as a country we simply weren't as prepared as we needed to be, particularly in the early stages. Consequently we saw decisions from our governments that ranged from simply inspired to seemingly lacking in logic and/or basic humanity. We need to ensure that we are better prepared when the next pandemic comes along. The COVID 19 Response Inquiry Report released yesterday is an important step in establishing our future preparedness. A major downside is that it focuses on the federal government response. Given our federated system and the critical role of the states and territories during the pandemic, the lack of analysis of state and territory responses and decision making is a major omission that will need be rectified by future reports. https://lnkd.in/gDHd7RzB

It's encouraging to see The Lancet Group spotlight the critical challenge of disinformation, aptly stating, "The effects are destructive and damaging to public health." At the World Mosquito Program (WMP), we have faced our share of misinformation and disinformation challenges. Rather than avoiding these obstacles, we’ve leaned in and implemented a structured approach to address them, ensuring we can continue our vital work of protecting communities worldwide. #dengue #denguefever #protectingcommunities https://lnkd.in/egjVKU_J

The U.S. intent to withdraw from the World Health Organization raises significant concerns about the role of the U.S. in global health policy. Threats to public health do not respect borders, and multilateral cooperation is a vital component of the effort to improve health and save lives around the world. Leaving the WHO could have catastrophic effects on both U.S. and global health. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eUHPWEkC

Epidemiological studies are conducted by observing human populations to evaluate whether there is a relationship between an exposure and a health impact. With continuing community exposure to fracking, being aware of the epidemiological associations between shale gas development and health outcomes is crucial to protecting public health. Learn more from our factsheet ⬇️ https://ow.ly/NwUz50TfJ29

Epidemiological studies are conducted by observing human populations to evaluate whether there is a relationship between an exposure and a health impact. With continuing community exposure to fracking, being aware of the epidemiological associations between shale gas development and health outcomes is crucial to protecting public health. Learn more from our factsheet ⬇️ https://ow.ly/LIjG50TfJ2e

🦠 Mpox has been around for decades, but a new strand is spreading rapidly. You may have questions, and we have answers: ➡️ How is this outbreak different from previous ones and why did it trigger a Public Health Emergency? ➡️ What does that mean for countries and for you? ➡️ Who is at risk? Watch Science In 5 for these answers and more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dNZCn73V