Principles and Practice of Emergency Research Response

Abstract

Unlocking the Future of Infectious Disease Research Response In a world where emerging infectious diseases constantly threaten humanity, advances in science and technology promise defense against future pathogens before they cause pandemics. The field of emergency research response and preparedness remains in its infancy, however. Not until the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak was accelerated research broadly recognized as a crucial component of emergency response. Many outbreaks and one global pandemic later, it is clear the world must be prepared to launch accelerated research responses to prevent or mitigate infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. Yet this nascent field is rife with critical scientific, ethical, and policy questions. How can local, national, and global systems collaborate across disciplines and political boundaries to protect health security? How can we conduct rigorous research in fragile or failed nation-states? What is needed for equitable distribution of vaccines and therapeutic medicines in short supply? How can we accelerate trials of vaccines and therapeutics during an emergency without compromising scientific rigor or ethical standards? How do we integrate communities and stakeholders into research preparedness and response? The editors bring decades of experience to their collaboration with renowned research scientists and health policy experts. Together they have crafted a compendium that proposes normative standards and offers practical guidance for preparedness and rapid research response. This pioneering, open access textbook presents principles and practices forged from experience in health emergencies – insights that illuminate a path forward for research response and preparedness. The goal is to stop outbreaks from becoming avoidable pandemics, and to mitigate illness, death, and social disruption if they cannot be stopped. Principles and Practice of Emergency Research Response merges historical understanding with insights into possible futures. It will serve as an indispensable compass for curtailing infectious disease threats through research, global health policy changes, and research capacity improvements where they are most needed. The editors hope that this book will be an ongoing reference for governments, health organizations, development agencies, researchers, policy experts, ethicists, and social scientists. To facilitate focused and enhanced learning, it incorporates pedagogical tools such as abstracts, learning objectives, discussion questions, real-life examples, and learning tracks. Robust global health security requires effective preparation for and response to emerging and re-emerging pathogens. This volume should help guide us towards a more resilient future.