The centennial of the 1918 influenza pandemic is a time to reflect on the huge advances made by medicine and public health, but also the frailty of our current system for global health. In recent years, nearly every region of the world has had to grapple with a major threat to health security: Ebola in West Africa, Zika in the Western Hemisphere, MERS in the Middle East, SARS in Asia, and the H1N1 flu pandemic everywhere. Threats to global health security continue to evolve due to the changing nature of conflict, advances in science and technology, globalization, and the emergence of new infectious diseases and pandemics. The development of gene drives, genome editing, and the synthesis of horsepox virus raise concerns about the risks posed by advanced biotechnologies. The use of chemical weapons by the Islamic State, Syria, North Korea, and Russia are also stark reminders of the dangers posed by weapons of mass destruction.
Pandemics, Bioterrorism, and Global Health Security: From Anthrax to Zika is a three-day, non-credit workshop designed to introduce participants to the challenges facing the world at the intersection of national security, public health, and the life sciences. The workshop faculty are internationally recognized experts from the government, private sector, and academia who have been extensively involved with research and policy-making on public health, biodefense, and national security issues. The workshop is sponsored by the Biodefense Graduate Program and will be held on the campus of the Schar School of Policy and Government in Arlington, Virginia on July 18-20, 2018.
The workshop is designed for professionals and academics, both domestic and international, in public health, the life sciences, the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, international affairs, law enforcement, emergency management, and national security who have responsibilities for preventing, preparing for, or responding to pandemics, bioterrorism, and other threats to global health security.
During the three days, participants will engage with leaders in the field of global health security, ranging from top professors to FBI special agents and the former commander of USAMRIID. The instructors will take participants on a complex journey through critical issues in global health security ranging from how to assess the risk of a pandemic to how to prepare for a bioterrorist attack. The rapid pace of events and constant changes within this field makes this workshop a great opportunity to learn more about the challenges and high-impact decisions that currently face world leaders.
Workshop Flyer
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