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Epidemiology – the key to responding to health
concerns, especially during financial crisis
New Delhi, 27 February: The
study of causes, distribution, spread and control of diseases in populations,
epidemiology, is a fundamental science and an integral part of public health.
Epidemiology has helped address old public health challenges and continues to
be a tool to investigate new challenges by providing evidence required for
sound public health action.
Efforts to strengthen epidemiology
should remain a priority of Member States even when plagued by the challenge
of climate change, an energy crisis or a global financial crisis.
“To address each of these challenges, what we
need is the information or the evidence or data not only for developing of
our strategies and policies, but also for advocacy,” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional
Director of WHO South-East Asia at the inauguration of a “Regional Meeting on
“Application of Epidemiological Principles for Public Health Action” in New
Delhi today.
The two-day meeting is aimed at formulating an
agreed framework for action, both within WHO and in
Member States. This would help to strengthen epidemiological capacities in
the Region and to apply this know-how and skills to overcome current public
health challenges such as those arising from the current financial downturn,
climate change and from emergence of new pathogens.
“The main idea behind this
meeting is to ascertain how we can together strengthen and focus our
attention on the application of epidemiological concepts and principles in
national health programme development and
management of health problems,” said Dr Jai P. Narain,
Director, Communicable Diseases, WHO SEARO.
More than 50 eminent
epidemiologists are attending this two-day regional meeting.
Where : WHO SEARO, New Delhi
What : Regional Meeting on
Application of Epidemiological Principles for Public Health Action
When: 26-27 February 2009
For more information please contact: Ms Vismita Gupta-Smith, Public Information and Advocacy Officer, WHO
South-East Asian Regional Office (SEARO), New Delhi, Tel: 91-11-23309401,
e-mail: guptasmithv@searo.who.int
or Ms Shima Roy Communication Officer (CSR Unit) at telephone: 011 2330 9591; e-mail roys@searo.who.int
All press releases, fact sheets and other WHO media material may be found at: www.searo.who.int.
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