WHO Launches New Collaborating Centre to Advance Research on Public Health Measures During Emergencies
New WHO Collaborating Center Aims to Strengthen Global Response to Health Emergencies
Oslo, norway – the world Health Organization (WHO) has designated the Centre for Epidemic Interventions Research at the Norwegian Institute of public Health as a WHO Collaborating Center for effectiveness research on public health and social measures (PHSM) for health emergencies. This designation, announced in August 2024, builds on a three-year collaboration between the WHO and the Centre, focused on strengthening the global evidence base for PHSM.
The inauguration of the WHO Collaborating Centre took place at a seminar in Oslo on November 25, 2024.
“this collaboration is crucial for ensuring we have the best possible evidence to guide our response to health emergencies,” said Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program. “The Centre’s work will help us understand wich public health and social measures are most effective, and how to implement them in a way that is both effective and equitable.”
During the seminar, Atle Fretheim, Director of the new WHO Collaborating Centre, highlighted the challenges of conducting research on PHSM, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We faced notable hurdles in conducting randomized controlled trials,such as lengthy ethical review procedures and a lack of standardized study templates,” Fretheim explained. “These challenges hindered our ability to collect timely and comparable data on the effectiveness of measures like mask-wearing.”
Ramona Ludolph, Technical officer of the WHO PHSM Secretariat, emphasized the importance of the Centre’s work in advancing the global PHSM agenda.
“the Centre will play a vital role in closing persistent evidence gaps and strengthening research capacity in countries around the world,” Ludolph stated.
The WHO Collaborating Centre has outlined aspiring plans for the next four years, including:
Developing standardized study protocol templates to measure the effectiveness of and adherence to PHSM. Creating a guide on adapting and implementing these study protocol templates in diverse settings.
* Conducting evidence reviews on the effectiveness and health and socio-economic consequences of PHSM implementation during infectious disease outbreaks.
The Centre’s work is expected to have a significant impact on global health security, helping countries to better prepare for and respond to future health emergencies.
New WHO Collaboration Aims to Strengthen Global Response to Health Emergencies: Interview with Expert
Oslo, Norway — NewsDirectory3.com recently sat down with Dr. Atle Fretheim, Director of the newly designated WHO Collaborating Center for effectiveness research on public health and social measures (PHSM) for health emergencies, to discuss the center’s mission and goals.
NewsDirectory3.com: Dr. Fretheim, congratulations on the designation of the Centre for Epidemic Interventions Research at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health as a WHO Collaborating Center. What will be the focus of your work?
Dr. Fretheim: Thank you. Our primary focus is to strengthen the global evidence base for public health and social measures, particularly during health emergencies. we aim to identify which measures are most effective and provide guidance on their implementation in a way that is both effective and equitable.
NewsDirectory3.com: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the challenges of conducting research on PHSM during emergencies. What are some of the hurdles you faced, and how will the center address them?
Dr. Fretheim: The pandemic presented many obstacles,including lengthy ethical review procedures and a lack of standardized study templates. This made it tough to collect timely and comparable data on the effectiveness of measures like mask-wearing.
NewsDirectory3.com: What are some of the center’s key initiatives for the next four years?
Dr. Fretheim: We will develop standardized study protocol templates to measure the effectiveness and adherence to PHSM. We will also create a guide on adapting and implementing these templates in diverse settings. Additionally, we will conduct evidence reviews on the effectiveness and socio-economic consequences of PHSM implementation during infectious disease outbreaks.
NewsDirectory3.com: How will the center’s work contribute to global health security?
Dr. Fretheim: Our work is crucial for helping countries better prepare for and respond to future health emergencies. By providing robust evidence on the effectiveness of PHSM, we caninform decision-making and ensure that interventions are implemented in the most effective and equitable way possible.