"Interdisciplinary Approaches to Pandemic Preparedness" at the World Health Summit 2024

Berlin, October 13, 2024 – As part of the World Health Summit 2024, the session Interdisciplinary Approaches to Pandemic Preparedness took place, hosted by the Leibniz Association and organized by the Leibniz-Lab Pandemic Preparedness. The event, chaired by Prof. Gülsah Gabriel (LIV) and Prof. Klaus Lieb (Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz) brought together experts from various disciplines to discuss the long-term effects of acute respiratory infections such as influenza and COVID-19, as well as the mental health challenges faced during the pandemic.

Dr. Meral Akçay, Head of the Global Influenza Program at Sanofi, highlighted the impact of influenza beyond the respiratory system, emphasizing how influenza infections are linked to cardiovascular diseases. She explained that vaccinations play a crucial role in reducing this disease burden and called for a comprehensive approach to epidemic and pandemic preparedness.

Prof. Carmen Scheibenbogen, Head of the Immunodeficiency Clinic at Charité Berlin, discussed Long COVID and current treatment options. She stressed that Long COVID is a global health challenge and showed that vaccinations can also reduce the risk of Long COVID.

Prof. Anke Witteveen, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Clinical Psychology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, addressed the mental health challenges during the pandemic and identified the most vulnerable groups. Young people, particularly women and individuals with a migration background, were the most affected. Witteveen urged that these findings be incorporated into future crisis planning and response to ensure that mental health systems can adequately meet the needs of the population.

Prof. Azeb Asaminew Alemu, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, presented on the challenges of mental health care in Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explained how the pandemic exacerbated existing problems and highlighted the need for innovative approaches to support those affected.

Dr. Bart Janssens, Director for Learning and Innovation at the newly established WHO Academy in Lyon, provided insights into this new institution, which focuses on lifelong learning for a resilient healthcare system. He emphasized the importance of promoting education and continuous professional development to be better prepared for future pandemics.

The session underscored that interdisciplinary approaches are essential in addressing the diverse challenges of pandemics. Combining medical, social, and psychological perspectives is crucial to building more resilient systems for the future.

About the World Health Summit

The World Health Summit is one of the world's leading events in global health and takes place annually in October in Berlin. It brings together decision-makers, scientists, businesses, and organizations from various sectors to discuss healthcare challenges and develop solutions. The Summit provides a platform for sharing knowledge, presenting innovative approaches, and promoting collaboration among different stakeholders in the health sector. Its goal is to improve healthcare worldwide and enhance preparedness for future health crises.