Living in an Age of Pandemics—From COVID-19 to Monkeypox, Polio, and Disease X

Abstract

This JAMA Forum discusses pandemic drivers and the lessons learned by health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, including global cooperation, equity, health communication, and childhood vaccinations, and provides 5 steps toward a more secure future with information on prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care in Ireland – Perspectives from a COVID-19 and Cancer Working Group

“…3, suggested strategies for strengthening services to help reduce the impact of COVID-19 disruption, include optimising opportunities for enhanced innovation, providing data and intelligence in near real-time, increasing investment in cancer services, strategies to protect public health (particularly relating to cancer prevention), and provision of adequate infrastructure. These are concordant with recommendations from professional societies and organisations [78] and reflect the threefold increased risk of pandemics in the future [79]. Additional support for digital infrastructure was recognised across many of the multi-disciplinary perspectives, including enhanced cybersecurity to mitigate further cyber-attacks, harmonised diagnostic services between and within public and private hospitals to improve inter-hospital connectivity and integration of multidisciplinary patient care.…”

Infection à Monkeypox virus

“…Ces infections virales émergentes constituent une alerte inquiétante à l’échelle de la planète, témoin d’une évolution des modes de vie, des migrations de populations et des changements climatiques. Afin d’anticiper l’émergence ou la réémergence de nouvelles menaces épidémiques, l’OMS mène trois grandes réformes : se doter d’un nouvel instrument pour lutter contre les pandémies, une réforme de l’IHR ( International Heath Regulation ) signée par 196 pays dont la mission est de prévenir, protéger, assurer un contrôle et apporter une réponse à la dissémination de nouvelles épidémies, et un soutien financier pérenne de l’OMS voté en septembre 2022 à l’ONU [25] . La question de la préparation à la nouvelle pandémie reste entière.…”

Lessons From the Mpox Response

“…Even though vaccines were available in traditional places for administration (such as physician offices and retail pharmacies), the community partners emphasized the importance of also making vaccinations available where those who would most benefit were likely to be present and comfortable. Applying lessons learned in HIV-related outreach, vaccines were offered in safe spaces outside night clubs, pop-up events, social venues, sex parties, and other community-focused events such as Atlanta Black Pride and Southern Decadence . This level of community engagement enhanced equity in mpox vaccination and better aligned vaccine providers with the community they served, both of which were essential to curbing the outbreak.…”