Addressing global health emergencies: lessons from AIDS to Ebola, Zika, and other emerging epidemics - Side-event at the High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS

Laurie Garrett chaired a panel on addressing global health emergencies at the 2016 UNAIDS High Level Meeting at the United Nations Headquarters.

There are striking similarities between HIV and more recent outbreaks of Ebola and Zika. At the onset of all epidemics little was known about the origin of the outbreak and the mode of transmission; mortality was high both for Ebola and AIDS. This lack of knowledge and an inadequate response lead to fear, stigma and discrimination of individuals and communities. All three epidemics have shown the need for political leadership, a sustained multisectoral approach, combining biomedical, behavioural and structural interventions and the importance of involving communities from the start. This side event will focus on lessons learned and how these can contribute to strengthening health systems and community responses, as well as long-term sustainable investments in services and research.

Watch the video of the entire panel discussion here. Posted June 2016.