ESCAIDE 2024 - A summary of day 3

This year’s final plenary explored the future of known infectious diseases, as many have re-emerged in recent years. Nienke Beerlage-de Jong explained the impact of climate change, land use and land coverage as well as human movements and urbanization in the rise of vector-borne diseases. She also emphasised other factors, such as lack of testing and data, underuse of risk mapping, as well as legal, ethical, financial and technological challenges. 

“The information is out there. The information is correct. It is now more about how to we reach the right audience, at the right time, with the right message, in a way that appeals to them. “ – Nienke Beerlage-de Jong, Assistant Professor at the University of Trente, speaking at Plenary E

Tomasz Sobierajski discussed socio-medical aspects of public health by using the example of the COVID-19 pandemic, which showed the need to consider sociology in medicine. This included social vaccinology, people’s reactions to prevention measures, and examining attitudes and behaviours of medical professionals and students and of the general population.

Maria Wessman discussed the increase in STIs among younger people, particularly among young women and heterosexual men. She explained that while surveillance is important, it is not enough, as prevention is multifaceted and there is a need to understand the causes of this resurgence. It could be due to changes in the pathogen, or in human behaviour.

"Knowledge alone is not sufficient to change beliefs." – Tomasz Sobierajski, professor at Warsaw University, speaking at Plenary E

The career compass session featured a diverse panel of EPIET and EUPHEM alumni, speaking about their own career paths, and decisions that shaped them. The panel highlighted the importance of persistence, stepping out of your comfort zone, and taking career opportunities. They also encouraged public health professionals to have a strong opinion on their work, and not to be afraid to speak out.

At the side session on risk communication, community engagement and infodemic management co-organised by ECDC and the World Health Organization (WHO), speakers discussed approaches to risk communication and community engagement, and cited examples from past outbreaks and the COVID-19 pandemic.

From a public health perspective, low-trust groups do not trust us for a reason. Try to see it from their perspective. There are very good historical reasons why that trust doesn't exist. - John Kinsman, Expert Social and Behaviour Change at ECDC, speaking in a side session

Ana Kasradze explained the communication approaches for public health in Georgia, citing the importance of gaining and maintaining trust with communities, relying on trusted local individuals as spokespeople, and ensuring transparent and consistent communication. Christina Rolfheim-Bye discussed her communication experience in Norway, where the public trusts public health authorities and expects their support. She emphasised the extreme level of transparency taken during the pandemic, which helped build trust with the public. John Kinsman 

The conference ended with a closing speech delivered by ECDC Chief Scientist, Piotr Kramarz, where he announced the winners of the photo competition and the best oral presentation. He thanked all participants and organisers, and spoke of the importance of solidarity in public health. 

Thank you for joining ESCAIDE 2024, and see you next year in Warsaw!