When Trust Saves Lives

A Reflection by Public Health Leadership Coalition’s Member – Prof. Walter Ricciardi

In democratic systems, impactful measures during a pandemic are those citizens comply with: we must promote engagement, strengthen communication and public health leadership roles in building trust within societies and towards policy-makers.

An explanatory analysis published on The Lancet, “Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19”, reports the role of modifiable risk factors on case fatality rates and shows an interesting association between higher levels of trust (governmental and interpersonal) and infection rates in pandemic scenarios.

What Is Leadership in a Pandemic?

The year 2022 begins with a record number of COVID-19 cases, including in countries with high rates of vaccine coverage. This wave reminds us that the pandemic remains a significant health threat and that there is not yet an accurate prediction about its evolution.

To tackle the current and future pandemics, three main areas of action should be taken: 1. Equitable vaccine distribution, 2. Consolidation of a global surveillance and response system, and 3. Mitigation of the climate crisis, from the perspective of One Health.

On February 16, 2022, at 13:00 – 14:30 (CET), global public health leaders, working within the framework of the WFPHA, discussed concrete actions to promote equity, public health leadership and global coordination to address pressing global health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and other health threats.

This webinar is available to view by clicking on the link below.

Inequality: A Threat to Humanity and the Planet

An Article by Public Health Leadership Coalition’s Member – Dr. Melissa Sweet

Oxfam International recently released a report, “Inequality Kills: The unparalleled action needed to combat unprecedented inequality in the wake of COVID-19”. It draws connections between the public health crises of growing inequality, the pandemic and climate change, and also proposes some solutions (that will require courageous leadership).

The article “The Billionaire Variant – A Threat to Humanity and the Planet” discusses the new report on rising global inequalities.

Official Relations with WHO

The 150th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board has decided to maintain the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) in official relations with WHO.

WFPHA is proud to continue its efforts to promote health for all.

COVID-19: A Difficult Prediction

A Reflection by Public Health Leadership Coalition’s Member – Dr. Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele

Prediction is difficult- particularly when it involves the future. – Mark Twain

This is certainly the case with the COVID-19 pandemic. This great opinion piece by Aris Katzourakis at Oxford University is calling the leadership to set aside lazy optimism … all countries must use better the array of tools and interventions at hand, now.

Ensuring Vaccine Equity

“Vaccine equity means that all countries should be able to immunize their populations.”

How can we ensure vaccine equity? Prof. Alison McCallum of the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) and Usher Institute, member of Coalition of International NGOs for Equity, answers the question.

Click on the link below to watch the video.