Stakeholder dialogue, broadening of support and use of communication: An integrated and integral part of influenza preparedness

摘要

ESWI’s mission statement reads: “to reduce the impact of epidemic and pandemic influenza by identifying stakeholders, communicating with them and facilitating the interactions between them.” This mission is based on the view that the mere presence of scientific data will not decrease the impact of human influenza. ESWI is convinced that all stakeholders, including scientists, policy makers, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare workers should join forces in order to make optimal use of existing and emerging medical and non-medical tools that allow reduction of the impact of seasonal influenza and preparation for a future influenza pandemic. ESWI’s influenza conferences are a concrete implementation of this mission and view. At these conferences scientists not only meet and share novel scientific developments among their peers, but they also interact with public health officials and opinion leaders in healthcare, who for this purpose are offered a tailor-made programme: the “Science in Practice” track. The sessions of this track are specifically designed to share knowledge, to translate hard core scientific data into practical tools and to exchange experiences among experts. Indeed, ESWI is convinced that healthcare workers and public health officials need to be aware of the largely underestimated impact of seasonal influenza, the potentially devestating consequences of pandemic influenza and the tools to combat these disease entities. Therefore in-depth communication activities targeted towards these groups will remain on top of ESWI’s priority list.