Forthcoming Book Examines Shortcomings and Provides Recommendations in Global Pandemic Response
A number of Rollins faculty and students are engaged with writing, editing, and contributing to a forthcoming book aimed at investigating the shortcomings in global public health action that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scott JN McNabb, PhD, research professor; and Carol Haley, PhD, adjunct associate professor; are among the 16 co-editors of the book, titled, Modernizing Global Health Security to Prevent, Detect, and Respond, which is slated for a mid-2022 release from Elsevier.
More than 100 contributors—including partners at the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Association of National Public Health Institutes— are involved in the project through scientific review, analyses, and insight into the current gaps and impediments to global public health security, both as it relates to COVID-19 response and other pandemics. Once complete, the book will provide scientific guidance and actionable solutions for public health leaders in future pandemics.
“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic that has so far [as of early September 2021] resulted in 4.5 million confirmed deaths and more than 220 million confirmed cases, it is now important that we ensure that we are fully prepared to effectively manage all health emergency risks,” says Stella Chungong, MD, MPH, director, health security preparedness, WHO Headquarters, and a co-editor of the book. “It is crucial that this capacity extends to include all countries and communities even in places where preparedness is most difficult to achieve.”
Chungong continues, “We are pleased to be working with Emory University and the Elsevier publishing group to develop this new book on modernizing global health as it provides an important opportunity to document the lessons that we have learned during COVID-19 and other recent health emergencies.”
The book is divided by theme into six sections: International Regulatory Environment, Importance of Global Collaboration, Global One Health to Address Pandemics, People and Goods on the Move, Tools and Techniques, and Best-Protected Global Community. Each chapter of the book will follow a similar structure, with a careful review of the literature on the topic, followed by a gap analysis, a definition of a vision of what should be, and a step-by-step delineation of actions needed to achieve the vision. Each chapter will also include at least one case study and important digital linkages.
“The book will showcase a practical vision of what the world could look like if and when we address the current shortfalls and prepare better to face the next pandemic,” says McNabb. “We anticipate the book will guide global leaders in highlighting necessary prevention measures and will be used to train the future public health workforce. Our intent is to provide the very best review and planning needed to modernize global health security.”
