IANPHI Webinars
In March 2020, IANPHI started hosting the IANPHI COVID-19 Webinar Series to discuss how our member national public health institutes (NPHIs) were responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The series since evolved to encompass topics beyond COVID-19, which are brought forward by our members and are relevant to NPHIs and the global health community. The resources from each webinar are available on this page.
March 15, 2023
IANPHI Europe: Filling the Knowledge Gap of Public Health and Social Measures
On March 15, 2023, the IANPHI Europe Network hosted a webinar to discuss the knowledge gap in public health and social measures (PHSMs). Throughout the world, PHSMs have been implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19. NPHIs play a key role in advising governments about the use of such measures – which, how and when to implement. Providing such advice has been challenging due to the limited scientific evidence on the effectiveness of these types of measures, including their unintended consequences. The evidence base consists largely of logical arguments and observational data, and there have been very few randomized trials of PHSMs conducted, both before and during the pandemic. Moderated by Dr. Atle Fretheim of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the session offered presentations and a discussion between panelists from Germnay's Robert Koch Institute, Public Health Wales and Denmark's Statens Serum Institut about the role of NPHIs in contributing to filling the knowledge gap.
Presentation of Dr. Charbel El Bcheraoui (Germany)
Presentation of Prof. Fu-Meng Khaw (Wales)
Presentation of Dr. Henrik Ullum (Denmark)
February 7, 2023
IANPHI Africa: National Public Health Institutes and Lessons Learned from Stakeholder Involvement in their Operationalization
On February 7, 2023, the IANPHI African Network hosted a webinar on the operationalization of NPHIs in the region and the lessons learned from stakeholder involvement. Panelists from the South African and Zambian NPHIs and Africa CDC discussed how NPHIs can capitalize on the influence of national stakeholders (NGOs, ministries, public health associations, technical and financial partners) and the political will of the countries' leaders to succeed in their process of operationalization and maturation. The session was moderated by Dr. Alex Riolexus Ario, chair of the IANPHI African Network, with the participation of Prof. Hervé Hien, vice chair of the network.
Presentation of Dr. Nathalie Mayet (South Africa)
Presentation of Prof. Roma Chilengi (Zambia)
Presentation of Haftom Taame (Africa CDC)
January 25, 2022
IANPHI Europe: Prioritization in Health – How Can We Lift Prevention?
On January 25, 2023, the IANPHI European Network hosted a webinar on the prioritization of health promotion and prevention. Limited resources and priority settings often result in treatment being prioritized over preventive interventions within healthcare services. Given the long-term benefits of health promotion and prevention, many NPHIs are faced with a need – and a challenge – to strengthen such services. In this webinar moderated by Dr. Trygve Ottersen, chair of the IANPHI European Network, NPHI leaders from Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands shared the experiences of their institutes in steering systems to better take into account or reinforce health promotion and prevention on a national level, including securing resources within the budget process rather than prioritization on a lower scale.
Presentation of Annika Veimer (Estonia)
Presentation of Dr. Anders Tegnell (Sweden)
Presentation of Dr. Eeva Nykänen (Finland)
Presentation of Prof. Dr. Martin Dietrich (Germany)
November 14, 2022
Developing Indicators to Drive Relevant Action on Climate Change and Health
On November 14, 2022, the IANPHI Committee on Climate Change and Public Health held a webinar on Developing Indicators to Drive Relevant Action on Climate Change and Health. Indicators are critical tools to track and capture climate-induced health impacts, harness evidence and implement effective public health interventions. The discussion featured representatives from the Lancet Countdown, the European Environment Agency, and from member NPHIs in the UK, the U.S., France and India. The webinar was opened by Dr. Sébastien Denys, chair of the IANPHI Committee on Climate Change and Public Health, and moderated by Dr. Svenja Matusall of Germany's Robert Koch Institute.
Presentation of Kim van Daalen (Lancet Countdown)
Presentation of Dr. Aleksandra Kazmierczak (EEA)
Presentation of Dr. Giovanni Leonardi (UK)
Presentation of Dr. Shubhayu Saha (U.S.)
Presentation of Dr. Mathilde Pascal (France)
Presentation of Dr. Aakash Shrivastava (India)
November 9, 2022
National Public Health Institutes Exercising Scientific Independence
On November 9, 2022, the IANPHI Europe Regional Network hosted a webinar about NPHIs Exercising Scientific Independence during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many NPHIs have been center-stage in their nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and their roles and interactions with major stakeholders such as policymakers at the national and local levels, the media, healthcare services, and other public entities have been put to the test. Moderated by Prof. Fu Meng Khaw, the webinar explored two central themes: 1/ whether NPHIs can ensure robust independent knowledge production and dissemination without political influence, and 2/ how NPHIs can work with stakeholders to advocate effectively for the collective benefit of independent scientific advice.
Presentation of Prof. Hans Brug (Netherlands)
Presentation of Prof. Herwig Ostermann (Austria)
September 14, 2022
National Public Health Institutes' Influence and Advocacy Strategies Using Scientific Evidence
On September 14, 2022, IANPHI hosted a webinar on “Influencing and Advocating to Policymakers Using Scientific Evidence” featuring leaders from member NPHIs: Prof. Lothar Wieler (Germany), Dr. Qiulan Chen (China), and Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana (Rwanda). Moderated by IANPHI President Prof. Duncan Selbie, the focus of this session was to address the challenges of NPHIs to communicate and influence policymakers and advance public health legislation.
Presentation of Prof. Lothar Wieler (Germany)
Presentation of Dr. Qiulan Chen (China)
Presentation of Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana (Rwanda)
June 8, 2022
The Challenges of Integrated Surveillance for National Public Health Institutes during the COVID-19 Pandemic
On June 8, 2022, IANPHI held a webinar on the challenges of integrated surveillance for national public health institutes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic highlighted gaps and weaknesses in national surveillance systems. NPHIs have had to adapt and strengthen their surveillance programs taking into account the new political, institutional and social context, and develop fresh approaches for the longer term. The session offered a panel discussion featuring surveillance experts from Pakistan's National Institute of Health, Mozambique's Instituto Nacional de Saúde, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, moderated by the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Program.
Presentation of Dr. Oliver Morgan (WHO)
Lancet article on disease surveillance for the COVID-19 era
March 3, 2022
IANPHI Africa: Wastewater Surveillance for COVID-19 and Other Pathogens Led by African National Public Health Institutes
On March 3, 2022, the IANPHI African Network held a webinar to share experiences of African national public health institutes that are conducting wastewater surveillance programs for COVID-19 and other pathogens. Monitoring wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 has proven to be a very useful tool during the pandemic to detect new variants and track trends. The webinar featured presentations by Ghana Health Service and South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases as well as a Q&A session moderated by Africa CDC.
Presentation of Dr. Kerrigan McCarthy (South Africa)
Presentation of Dr. Dennis Laryea (Ghana)
September 28, 2021
IANPHI Africa: COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation and How African NPHIs Can Address It and Increase Vaccine Uptake
On September 28, 2021, the IANPHI African Network hosted a webinar to discuss how African NPHIs can address COVID-19 vaccine misinformation and rumors resulting in vaccine hesitancy, and improve vaccine uptake in African countries. Bob Omoda Amodan of the Uganda National Institute of Public Health and Dr. Raji Tajudeen, head of Africa CDC's Division of Public Health Institutes and Research, gave presentations sharing their experiences and offering possible strategies and solutions. Dr. Alex Riolexus Ario, director of the Uganda National Institute of Public Health and chair of the IANPHI Africa Regional Network, and Dr. Hervé Hien, his vice-chair and director of Burkina Faso's Institut National de Santé Publique, co-moderated the session.
Presentation of Bob Omoda Amodan (Uganda)
Presentation of Dr. Raji Tajudeen (Africa CDC)
June 30, 2021
The Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and How International and Regional Collaboration Can Support NPHIs
On June 30, 2021, IANPHI hosted a webinar to understand how NPHIs can further develop genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 as part of their surveillance systems, and how regional and international collaboration can support the development of genomic sequencing. The webinar offered case studies presentations from INSP Burkina Faso, Argentina ANLIS, and Denmark SSI on their experience with genomic sequencing and surveillance, their best practices, the gaps they identified and the role of regional and international collaboration in the development of capacities in this field. A panel discussion followed with experts from Africa CDC, PAHO, CARPHA and NIH Pakistan to exchange ideas about ways international or regional networks and cooperation can participate in reducing regional disparities in the ability to sequence genomes. The session was moderated by Dr. Jinal Bhiman of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of South Africa.
Presentation of Prof. Abdoul Salam Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso)
Presentation of Dr. Claudia Perandones (Argentina)
May 12, 2021
The Impact of Heat Waves during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Lessons Learned by NPHIs from Summer 2020
On May 12, 2021, IANPHI hosted a webinar to understand how COVID-19 affected heatwaves risks in 2020, identified the key lessons learned by the NPHIs and other public health stakeholders from this experience and explored solutions and good practices. The webinar featured NPHI case studies from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands, and Public Health England. A panel discussion followed to discuss possible solutions and how to adapt public health practice to address the combined impact of heatwaves and COVID-19, with panelists from Santé publique France, the National Public Health Institute of Quebec, the Global Heat Health Information Network, and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center. The session was moderated by Prof. Duncan Selbie, president of IANPHI.
Presentation of Dr. Shubhayu Saha (U.S.)
Presentation of Dr. Werner Hagens (The Netherlands)
Presentation of Owen Landeg (UK)
April 14, 2021
The Role and Challenges of National Public Health Institutes in COVID-19 Vaccination
On April 14, 2021, IANPHI hosted a webinar to facilitate a high-level discussion on NPHIs' role and challenges in COVID-19 vaccination. The objectives of the session were to 1) understand and compare the NPHIs role and activities regarding COVID-19 vaccination, showing the diversity and regional specificities among the IANPHI network, as well as 2) identify the common challenges encountered by the NPHIs regarding COVID-19 vaccination, and 3) show how they are facing them by sharing good practices and discussing with the IANPHI membership. The webinar featured speakers from Israel's Ministry of Health, Bangladesh's Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, co-founder of IANPHI and vice president for Global Health at Emory University.
Presentation of Dr. Roee Singer (Israel)
Presentation of Dr. Tahmina Shirin (Bangladesh)
Presentation of Dr. Kim Fox (U.S.)
October 22, 2020
IANPHI Europe: Balancing Investment for Well-being and Health Equity in the Context of COVID-19
On October 22, 2020, IANPHI hosted a webinar on balancing investment for well-being and health equity in the context of COVID-19. The webinar was a session of the virtual 2020 IANPHI European Meeting. Moderated by Prof. Mark A. Bellis, director, WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Wellbeing at Public Health Wales, it outlined current and potential challenges and impacts of COVID-19 (and related response measures) on population well-being, equity, social and economic development, and highlighted the importance of urgent and sustainable investment in well-being and health equity. It explored theoretical approaches and solutions as well as examples of good practice and country experiences, developing and using different models and tools towards sustainable investment.
Presentation of Dr. Dyakova (Wales/WHO)
Presentation of Dr. Azam (Wales/WHO)
Presentation of C. Brown (WHO/Europe)
Presentation of T. Buzeti (WHO/Europe)
Presentation of C. Costongs (EuroHealthNet)
Presentation of A. Maassen (EuroHealthNet)
July 10, 2020
The Mobilization of Behavioral Science in the Time of COVID-19
On July 10, 2020, IANPHI hosted a webinar on the mobilization of behavioral science in the time of COVID-19. Moderated by Neil Squires of the Global Health Department of Public Health England, the webinar featured public health leaders from the Netherlands and France. Behavioral science plays a vital role to play in efforts to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Research on behavior and health provides insights on how to help people understand and follow guidelines to keep themselves and their communities safe.
Presentation of RIVM's Corona Behavioral Unit
Presentation of the French Behavioral Insights Unit
Presentation of Santé publique France
June 3, 2020
IHME's COVID-19 Pandemic Forecasts and their Utilization by National Public Health Institutes in the National Responses
In partnership with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the webinar discussed COVID-19 pandemic forecasts with national public health institutes (NPHIs) and key stakeholders, and addressed the methodology and data source of the third generation of IHME's model as well as the implications of their COVID-19 resource for national authorities and NPHIs. Dr. Jean-Claude Desenclos, scientific director and deputy to the director general at Santé publique France, and secretary general of IANPHI, moderated a discussion with Dr. Christopher J. L. Murray, director of IHME and chair of department of Health Metrics Sciences.
Presentation of Dr. Murray (IHME)
May 15, 2020
Lockdown De-escalation Strategies in Europe
Facilitated by IANPHI Co-Founder Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, the webinar featured Dr. Johanna Hanefeld, scientific director and head of department at the Centre for International Health Protection (ZIG) of Germany's Robert Koch Institute, and Dr. Frode Forland, specialist director of infectious diseases and global health at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH).
Presentation of Dr. Frode Forland (Norway)
April 29, 2020
The Role of West African National Public Health Institutes in the COVID-19 Response
Facilitated by IANPHI Secretary General Dr. Jean-Claude Desenclos, the webinar was the first held in French. It featured Dr. Hervé Hien, director general of the Institut National de Santé Publique of Burkina Faso, Prof. Dinard Kouassi, director general of the Institut National de Santé Publique of Côte d'Ivoire, and Dr. Abdoulaye Touré, director general of the Institut National de Santé Publique of Guinea.
Presentation of Dr. Hervé Hien (French)
April 15, 2020
The China Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the COVID-19 Response
Facilitated by Prof. Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Public Health England, the webinar featured Dr. George Fu Gao, director of the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC).
April 7, 2020
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the COVID-19 Response
Facilitated by IANPHI co-founder Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, the webinar featured Dr. Minwon Lee, director general at the Center for Public Health Emergency Response of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), and Dr. Seon Kui Erica Lee, director at KCDC's Division of Risk assessment and International cooperation.
March 24, 2020
Italy's Istituto Superiore di Sanità and the COVID-19 Response
The first webinar of the IANPHI COVID-19 Series featured Prof. Silvio Brusaferro, president of Italy's Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS). Brusaferro discussed how Italy's COVID-19 response in the first month of the pandemic. He offered insight and data on how public health leaders in other countries could respond more effectively. The webinar included a presentation by Brusaferro, followed by a question and answer session.