Public Health

Project Updates

• Working together across international boundaries

  Published on 13 Feb 2012

  Recent public health emergencies revealed gaps in our preparedness planning and response strategies and capacities. They made clear that multi-sectoral collaboration and preparedness by critical sectors such as information technology, energy and transport are a key to minimise the effects of a future major health emergency across the society. The 2011 E.coli outbreak in Europe demonstrated that a public health crisis could have major consequences on the economy. Besides the public health consequences, this emergency resulted in losses of more than €800m in the agricultural sector, caused major international trade disruption and mistrust from consumers. Such consequences can even be more pressing in the context of a pandemic.

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• Knowing the Unknown

  Published on 05 Feb 2012

  “Preparedness by critical sectors of the society is the key to minimise the negative effects of a future major health emergency across the society” stressed Mr. Martin Seychell, Deputy Director General of the Directorate General for Health and Consumers, European Commission. Welcoming ASEF’s commitment in strengthening Europe-Asia public health cooperation, Mr Seychell mentioned, “The European Union is committed to improve international collaboration to tackle serious cross-border health threats.”

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• Participate in a public briefing on Public Health

  Published on 01 Feb 2012

  In Bangkok last year, ASEF brought together an international panel of experts to share outcomes from ASEF’s future-oriented approach towards the anticipation of future pandemics and public health emergencies. These ASEF-ASAP (Accurate Scenarios Active Preparedness) scenarios are a set of long-term scenarios for pandemic preparedness.

  The outcomes of that event along with recent updates from the ASEF Public Health Network’s activities will be shared during a Public Briefing “Asia & Europe: are we prepared for future pandemics?” at the Renaissance Brussels Hotel on  2 February 2012.

  Mr. Martin Seychell, Deputy Director General from Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG-SANCO), European Commission will be the Guest of Honour for the day. Representatives from ASEM embassies, academia, chambers of commerce, corporations, UN agencies and other international non-profit organisations and the media are also invited.

  Interested members of the public and media representatives who wish to attend this event can register by sending an email to debasmita.dasgupta@asef.org

   

  Event details are below:

  Date:                       Thursday, 2 February 2012

  Timing:                   09.30 AM – 13.00 PM (Lunch provided from 13.00-14.00)

  Venue:                    Renaissance Brussels Hotel

  Rue du Parnasse 19 • Brussels, 1050 Belgium

   

  Admission is free

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• Preparing for the next global pandemic

  Published on 30 Jan 2012

  The debate over studying avian influenza - or H5N1 virus - transmissibility returns pandemic risk to the fore of public anxiety. Regardless of the specific agent, influenza or otherwise, a robust plan for preparedness and response must contend with multiple uncertainties. Containing transmission is key. The 1918 Spanish flu wiped out 30 per cent of the world's population at the advent of modern transportation that, by the start of the 20th century, offered global coverage. Infected passengers of ships and trains spread the flu; moreover, severe epidemics occurred in shipyards and among railway personnel.

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• Are we prepared for future pandemics?

  Published on 10 Jan 2012

  Participate in the Public Briefing - Asia & Europe: are we prepared for future pandemics? following the registration details below -

  Registration details

  Date:        Thursday, 2 February 2012

  Venue:     Renaissance Brussels Hotel

                    Rue du Parnasse 19 • Brussels, 1050 Belgium

  Timing:    09.30 AM – 13.00 PM (Lunch provided from 13.00 -14.00 PM)

  Admission is free

  Interested members of the public and media representatives willing to attend can register by contacting Smita at debasmita.dasgupta@asef.org
  

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