Towards a Learning and Adaptive European pandemic Preparedness and emergency response System (LEAPS)

The project aims to develop a European framework and protocol for pandemic preparedness and emergency response based on the principles of collaborative/joint research and capacity building, decentralized surveillance and response mechanisms, built-in public and government engagement.Considering the health emergency response system as a complex adaptive and learning system, and applying learnings from previous epidemics (COVID-19, H1N1, Ebola, Yellow Fever, …) a systems thinking and modeling approach will be applied which connects world-class expertise and analysis methods from the main subsystems involved, i.e. surveillance, diagnostics, response mechanisms, needs forecasting from outbreaks, logistics in emergency supply chains, decision support during endemic, epidemic and pandemic times, communication to broader public. In particular, a geographically-based monitoring and simulation platform is envisioned which captures the knowledge from previous epidemics and state of the art technologies. The platform enables both learning from past experiences and providing insights on preparedness for future epidemics. Simulations based on historic epidemics and “Disease X” will lead to protocols for future pathogen types and will train decision makers on all levels in emergency response.Finally, the overarching idea is sustainability, preserved by embedded resilience to counteract fragility, thereby paying special attention to vulnerable populations. A prototype of an adaptive decision support tool is envisioned, which will be used for explanation, communication and training. This prototype will be generic, so it can be tailored to different geographical areas and related contexts.

Keywords:Emergency response, Surveillance and diagnostics, Pandemic preparedness, Adaptive systems, Systems thinking

Disciplines:Public health sciences not elsewhere classified