In a new initiative for 2006-2008, IIASA is implementing an exploratory project on "Health and Global Change." Health is a growing global concern, as is dramatically evidenced by the threats of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), bio-terrorism, and pandemic influenza. Receiving the most attention is the resurgence of infectious disease. At the 2006 summit meeting of the major industrialized countries (G8), infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, pandemic influenza, and newly emergent infections, are expected to be prominent on the agenda.

As described in its research proposal, HGC focused on pandemic influenza in 2006-2007. Issues addressed included international governance issues in epidemiological surveillance and control, response strategies such as vaccination, socio-economic impacts and demographic aspects of influenza. An international workshop "Policy and Social Science Aspects of Pandemic Influenza" was held in Vienna in August 2007 and a round table "Pandemic influenza in China: challenges, responses, and needs" was jointly organized in Beijing with the Institute for Population Research of Peking University in October 2007. Based on these and other activities, the HGC project is currently editing a book on pandemic influenza.

In 2008, the HGC Project is planning to focus on HIV/AIDS, and especially on the assessment of response strategies in low and middle income countries.

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Last updated: 24 Feb 2011