Empowering field epidemiologists for stronger health systems: World Field Epidemiology Day 2022
The World Field Epidemiology Day is observed on 7 September. Established in 2021 by the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET), this day creates awareness and highlights the importance of field epidemiologists in protecting the health of populations and advancing global health security.
In 2022, the World Field Epidemiology Day focuses on the need for additional support to strengthen public health systems around the globe to detect and respond to outbreaks efficiently. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that field epidemiologists are essential for providing decision-makers with information to develop effective health interventions. Through the World Field Epidemiology Day, the global health community voices the need for more investment in training and research in this area.
It is pivotal to empower the field epidemiology workforce to achieve stronger and more resilient health systems, which are prepared and capable of responding to serious health emergencies, outbreaks and pandemics.
To mark this day, ECDC has published a series of videos featuring professionals who share their experiences as part of the Fellowship Programme (EPIET/EUPHEM) or the Mediterranean and Black Sea Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (MediPIET). The podcasts, The Diseases Detectives and How Do We Prepare Communities? also describe the implications of field epidemiology.
Various global events will take place on this day, several of them open to the public.
