Research Prioritization
for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence
To better prepare for future pandemics and epidemics, we need the right knowledge, tools and evidence. In recent years, research and innovation in this field have advanced rapidly. But too often, research and funding remain fragmented and valuable insights fail to be translated into action. To address these gaps, a shared research scope and stronger coordination between researchers, funders, public health practitioners and decision-makers are essential.
That’s why the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, together with GloPID-R, Charité University Hospital and Wellcome Trust in an observer role, led a collaborative process to set clear research priorities for pandemic and epidemic intelligence. Through a global expert consultation, this prioritization exercise identified 23 key research areas. Through those, the aim of the initiative is to align research efforts, direct funding to critical gaps, and ensure research is accessible and used for timely, evidence-based, effective decisions for health emergency preparedness and response.
Our objectives
 | Prioritize research efforts that address the needs and priorities of public health practitioners, ensuring that surveillance systems are strengthened for real-world applications |
 | Offer a guiding framework that sets the scope of the research landscape for the research community |
 | Encourage a multi-disciplinary approach to address complex challenges |
 | Guide funding resources, including for national governments, to overcome fragmentation and ensure directed and sufficient financial support for key research priorities |
 | Promote the integration of pandemic and epidemic intelligence into public health policy and decision-making systems, enhancing the relevance and utility of surveillance data in guiding informed decisions and day-to-day surveillance approaches |
Resources
Research Prioritization for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence: Technical Brief
Watch our event recording of Speaker Series Session N°9 – The Role of Research in Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence
Key thematic areas and research priorities
The research priorities fall under 8 key thematic domains: