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When will the year of epidemiology be? There will be those who think that it has already been. But those of us who are dedicated to this branch of science know that there will never be a dedicated year because everyone has their own desire and challenges.
The year 2022, like the previous two years, has been strongly marked by covid-19 and also by its consequences on the rest of the activities of epidemiology, since all efforts have been highly conditioned by the pandemic.
The impact of covid-19
Covid-19 has had a strong impact on public health surveillance of all diseases, communicable or not. Fundamentally because the saturation of the health system has slowed down notification and intervention on all of them.
Even preventive programs, such as screening for early cancer detection, have been affected. These delays in diagnosis predict an increase in more advanced stages in several diseases and, therefore, a worsening of survival.
Given the shortcomings that the National Health System in Spain has shown when facing this crisis, the creation of the State Public Health Agency is emerging as a crucial instrument, although we still do not know where, how and when it will materialize. It is essential to accelerate its implementation and know what its structure and regulations will be.
Positive aspects
One of the positive aspects has been the recent publication, for the first time, of the provisional mortality data for the first half of 2022, along with the definitive data for 2021, by the National Statistics Institute, which has also reduced the deadlines. in diffusion. However, we must continue to demand that deaths by cause of death be considered data of health interest, as well as statistical data. It is also necessary to implement the electronic death certificate, which would make this data available more immediately.
Another good news for 2022 is the launch of the Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System (SiVIRA) for joint surveillance of influenza, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus infection, following international recommendations.
Climate change, another challenge for epidemiology
One of the great current concerns is climate change and its effects on health. For this reason, the Spanish Society of Epidemiology dedicated its Annual Scientific Meeting to it in 2022. Extreme weather events will become more and more frequent and their consequences are already devastating. They have a marked impact on health and also affect non-communicable diseases.
At the same time, the alteration of biodiversity due to human activity favors the transmission of infectious and parasitic diseases and entails the risk of the resurgence of other diseases that we thought had already been overcome or the appearance of new agents that could affect health.
Extreme weather events also affect population movements and the health of those who migrate. Faced with this demanding panorama, public health services, like society, must be reorganized and strengthened with more resources to confront it.
Climate change also increases social inequalities, one of the main determinants of health. Its impact on food security will increase malnutrition and diarrhea in areas with fewer resources. To make matters worse, the combination of climate change and the pandemic exacerbates vulnerability due to energy poverty.
And in 2023?
Covid-19 will surely continue among us in the year that has just started, we hope with less incidence, although the current situation in China is worrying. But it will be necessary to limit its impact, controlling this and other possible causes of the pandemic.
In the coming months, the necessary foundations should be laid to face the health and social crises, assuming that the best preparation is to have a well-equipped, trained and well-functioning system before the crisis occurs.
Recognition for epidemiologists
In the last three years, epidemiology seems to have gained special relevance due to covid-19. But those who are dedicated to epidemiology also work and research in other fields such as cancer, addictions, social determinants of health, occupational health or nutrition. Training in epidemiology is based on very diverse degrees that require a complementary effort of learning and specialization, which must be recognized at work and professionally.
The apparent visibility of epidemiology in recent years has not been accompanied by better working conditions. Equation with other health professionals is essential, which requires greater provision of positions and technical resources and greater dignity and stability in jobs.
This is how you recognize a task. That which contributes to improving people's lives, through monitoring population health and preventing diseases. That which also contributes to the promotion of community health, always trying to provide valid and equitable responses to collective health problems and influencing the development of policies and social change.
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Source: The Conversation. Authorship:
Oscar Zurriaga
Associate Professor. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (UV). Serv. Epidemiological and Statistical Studies. Sanit. (Valencian generalitat). Unit Joint FISABIO-UVEG Rare Diseases Research. CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Valencia
Angela Dominguez Garcia
Professor Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medicine, CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Barcelona
Eduardo Briones Pérez de la Blanca
Epidemiologist, specialist in Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Junta de Andalucía
Federico Eduardo Arribas Monzón
Head of Health Evaluation and Accreditation Service. General Directorate of Health Assistance, Department of Health of Aragon
Juan A. Cayla Buqueras
President of the Barcelona Tuberculosis Research Unit Foundation, Barcelona Tuberculosis Research Unit (UITB)
Maria Grau
Universitat de Barcelona
Maria Isabel Portillo
Coordinator of the colorectal and prenatal cancer screening programs. Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, Osakidetza – Basque Health Service
Maria João Forjaz
Public health researcher, Carlos III Health Institute
Mario Fontan Vela
PhD candidate in Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Alcalá
Featured Image: Source Pexels.com, Photo by Laurissa Booyse
