In Memoriam - Adetokunbo Oluwole Lucas

(Fall 2020) We were going to hold the IEA-WP regional joint symposium in collaboration with JEA (Japan Epidemiological Association) in February 2020, at the time of the 30th annual JEA Scientific Meeting in Kyoto, entitled “What is expected as the regional collaborative activities of IEA-WP region”. We have postponed the symposium because of the COVID-19 epidemic in this region. Fortunately, the next JEA scientific meeting in 2021 (JEA 2021) will be held on Jan 27th to 29th, 2021 as a web-based online meeting. Therefore, we have decided to hold the postponed IEA- WP Regional Group Joint Symposium on JEA 2021. The symposium invited speakers from 5 regional epidemiological associations, Australasian Epidemiological Association, Chinese Epidemiological Association, Japan Epidemiological Association, Korean Society of Epidemiology and Taiwan Epidemiology Association, as well as Young/Early-Career Epidemiologist Network, and received kind acceptance letter from all speakers.  

JEA-IEAWP Travel Award for WCE2021

International Epidemiological Association (IEA) Western Pacific (WP) region invited applications for the JEA-IEAWP Travel Award in collaboration with JEA. An award of 1,600 USD, plus a registration fee waiver, will be made to up to 5 participants which is intended to offset expenses related to World Congress of Epidemiology 2020 (now WCE2021) attendance and travel. Due to the COVID-19 crisis affecting populations worldwide, WCE2020 has been postponed to 2021. Accordingly, we postponed the selection of awardee in accordance with the updated timeline.

(Fall 2020)  The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted economic, health and living conditions on the African continent. Since the 3^rd of March 2020 when three African countries first reported confirmed cases, up to 47 Africa countries have now reported a cumulative 891, 942 confirmed cases. The impact on individuals, families and communities across Africa has been unprecedented. The occurrence of this pandemic within the timeframe of an unfinished African agenda on control of communicable diseases and an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases portends great danger for weak African Health Systems. The economic loss while still unfolding is projected to be quite huge. Happily, even though previous predictions from outside Africa had projected an exponential increase and profound mortality, current data suggest the virus is spreading more slowly in Africa than was initially anticipated. Mortality has also been low with a total number of deaths put at 16,941 (case fatality ratio of ~ 1.9%).

Population testing still remains low, with many countries still unable to test beyond the big cities, which makes it difficult to correctly assess the true situation and predict the trend in African countries. However, it is pleasing that despite health system challenges and resource limitations, African countries have done relatively well in managing this pandemic. The tremendous efforts put into contact listing, contact tracing, active surveillance and ramping up basic public health measures like handwashing and social distancing has been unprecedented. The adaptation of risk communication strategies to fit contextual backgrounds has been remarkable. At the centre of all these efforts are the African epidemiologists who continue to toil night and day to find some meaning out of the crisis and are at the forefront of advancing strategies based on science, data and logic. These contributions would not be forgotten in a hurry! Now more than ever is the work of the epidemiologist appreciated. Whether in large urban hospital settings, or in the far-flung communities that are hard to reach or in conflict zones amid grave threats to life and personal security, our colleagues across Africa have demonstrated the importance of epidemiology in understanding a virus that most times is hidden in our very midst. We must continue to encourage them, support them and collaborate in sharing unique experiences that would engender co-learning. This pandemic will redefine epidemiology and the skill sets and competencies needed to practice as an epidemiologist globally and particularly in resource poor settings like Africa. This reinforces our stance as the International Epidemiological Association- African Region on the need to rethink, reposition and rebrand epidemiology for greater impact and it further sets us on the path to achieving the “Maputo Declaration” set by the African arm of the association on 17^th of April, 2019. The IEA-Africa region salutes the resilience and dedication of our colleagues across the African Continent and globally.

We are pleased to bring to your attention two forthcoming events under the auspices of the Latin American/Caribbean and North American regions of the International Epidemiological Association.

• Topics in cancer epidemiology and prevention (April 21-23): a series of lectures and discussions about methodological and substantive issues and future directions. The coda speaker for the event will be Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France.
• Mini-Course on best practices for publishing public health research (April 23-24): a series of interactive lectures and panel discussions by experienced editors of epidemiology and public health journals on practical issues related to academic publishing and how it is adapting to the open science era.

The two events will be held at the Auditorium Emílio Athié of Santa Casa Medical Sciences School in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Although all lectures will be in Portuguese, question periods and panel discussions can be in any of the four main languages of the Americas: Spanish, Portuguese, French, and English, upon request by audience members.

Each event is capped to a maximum of 80 participants. Registration is free but mandatory and independently for each of the two events. You may register via email to kbribeiro@gmail.com.

A limited number of travel bursaries (up to USD 1000 each) is available to assist early career epidemiologists from the Latin American region who meet the following criteria of eligibility: (i) age 45 or younger; (ii) within 7 years since highest degree; (iii) employed as epidemiologist or in a related activity in an academic setting (university, research institute, or hospital). A letter from the candidate’s supervisor confirming eligibility is a requirement for applying. Bursaries will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. This financial assistance will be provided as partial or full reimbursement of travel expenses effectively incurred, such as airfare, local transportation, and lodging, in connection with attendance.

With kindest regards, 

Karina Ribeiro, DDS, PhD, IEA Councilor, Latin American and Caribbean Region

Eduardo Franco, DrPH, PhD(Hon), FRSC, FCAHS, OC, IEA Councilor, North American Region

Estimados miembros de la IEA en las dos regiones de las Américas:

Nos complace llamar su atención sobre dos próximos eventos bajo los auspicios de las regiones de América Latina / Caribe y América del Norte de la International Epidemiological Association.

• Temas en epidemiología y prevención del cáncer (21-23 de abril): una serie de conferencias y debates sobre cuestiones metodológicas y sustantivas y orientaciones futuras. La oradora principal del evento será la Dra. Elisabete Weiderpass, Directora de la Agencia Internacional de Investigación sobre el Cáncer, Lyon, Francia.
• Mini-Curso sobre mejores prácticas para publicar investigación en salud pública (23-24 de abril): una serie de conferencias interactivas y paneles de discusión por editores experimentados de revistas de epidemiología y salud pública sobre cuestiones prácticas relacionadas con la publicación académica y cómo esta se está adaptando a la era de la ciencia abierta.

Los dos eventos se llevarán a cabo en el Auditorio Emílio Athié de la Escuela de Ciencias Médicas de la Santa Casa de São Paulo, en Sao Paulo, Brasil. Aunque todas las conferencias serán en portugués, los períodos de preguntas y las mesas redondas pueden estar en cualquiera de los cuatro idiomas principales de las Américas: español, portugués, francés e inglés, a solicitud de los miembros de la audiencia.

Cada evento está limitado a un máximo de 80 participantes. La inscripción es gratuita pero obligatoria e independiente para cada uno de los dos eventos. Puede registrarse por correo electrónico a kbribeiro@gmail.com.

Un número limitado de becas de viaje (hasta USD 1000 cada una) está disponible para ayudar a los epidemiólogos de inicio de carrera en la región latinoamericana que cumplan con los siguientes criterios de elegibilidad: (i) 45 años de edad o menos; (ii) máximo de 7 años desde el grado más alto; (iii) empleado como epidemiólogo o en una actividad relacionada en una institución académica (universidad, instituto de investigación u hospital). Una carta del supervisor del candidato que confirma la elegibilidad es un requisito para solicitarla. Las becas se asignarán por orden de llegada. Esta asistencia financiera se proporcionará como reembolso parcial o total de los gastos de viaje efectivamente incurridos, como pasajes aéreos, transporte local y alojamiento, en relación con la asistencia. 

Saludos Cordiales,

Karina Ribeiro, DDS, PhD, Consejera de la IEA, Región Latino Americana y Caribe
Eduardo Franco, DrPH, PhD(Hon), FRSC, FCAHS, OC, Consejero de la IEA, Región Norte Americana

Prezados membros da IEA nas duas regiões das Américas,

Temos o prazer de chamar sua atenção para dois eventos próximos, sob os auspícios das regiões da América Latina / Caribe e América do Norte da International Epidemiological Association.

• Tópicos em epidemiologia e prevenção do câncer (21 a 23 de abril): uma série de palestras e discussões sobre questões metodológicas e substantivas e orientações futuras. O orador coda para o evento será a Dr. Elisabete Weiderpass, Diretora da Agência Internacional de Pesquisa sobre o Câncer, Lyon, França.
• Mini-curso sobre boas práticas para a publicação de pesquisas em saúde pública (23 a 24 de abril): uma série de palestras interativas e painéis de discussão de editores experientes de revistas de epidemiologia e saúde pública sobre questões práticas relacionadas à publicação acadêmica e como esta está se adaptando à era da ciência aberta.

Os dois eventos serão realizados no Auditório Emílio Athié da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, em São Paulo, Brasil. Embora todas as palestras sejam em português, os períodos de perguntas e painéis de discussão podem ser em qualquer um dos quatro principais idiomas das Américas: espanhol, português, francês e inglês, mediante solicitação dos membros da plateia. 

Cada evento é limitado a um máximo de 80 participantes. As inscrições são gratuitas, mas obrigatórias e independentes para cada um dos dois eventos. Inscrições via e-mail para kbribeiro@gmail.com.

Um número limitado de bolsas de viagem (até US $ 1000 cada) está disponível para auxiliar os epidemiologistas do início da carreira na região da América Latina que preencham aos seguintes critérios de elegibilidade: (i) 45 anos de idade ou menos; (ii) no máximo 7 anos desde o mais alto grau; (iii) empregado como epidemiologista ou em uma atividade relacionada em um ambiente acadêmico (universidade, instituto de pesquisa ou hospital). Uma carta do supervisor do candidato confirmando a elegibilidade é um requisito para a inscrição. As bolsas serão atribuídas por ordem de chegada. Essa assistência financeira será fornecida como reembolso parcial ou total das despesas de viagem efetivamente feitas, como passagem aérea, transporte local e hospedagem, em conexão com a participação.

Com os melhores cumprimentos,

Karina Ribeiro, DDS, PhD, Conselheira da IEA, Região da América Latina e Caribe
Eduardo Franco, DrPH, PhD(Hon), FRSC, FCAHS, OC, Conselheiro da IEA, Região da América do Norte

IEA SEA organized a Regional Group Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka - 19-21 September 2019. 

All abstracts presented in the conference have been published as a supplementary volume of Journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (Volume 25 - Issue 3 -Supplement – September 2019). The programme book, abstract book and the photos are available in the conference web site http://seaiea2019.com/. IEA members can also view a summary of the abstracts on this website by logging into the Members Only area.

The annual Society for Social Medicine & Population Health/International Epidemiology Association pre-conference early career researchers’ event took place on September 3rd, 2019 at the Mardyke Pavilion, University College Cork. The event was organised by Dr Kate O’Neill, Ms Niamh McGrath and Ms Emmy Racine from the School of Public Health, and held prior to the Joint SSM and IEA European Congress.

Almost 70 early career researchers attended the event; the largest attendance at a SSM preconference event to date. Funding from SSM, IEA and the Health Research Board meant the event was free and organisers were also able to offer accommodation bursaries and subsidise a networking dinner for attendees.

The event was centered around promoting early career researchers careers within and outside of academic settings. Topics which were covered included ways of engaging with existing organisational structures and initiatives, such as mentoring, the research support service and the innovative ‘Odyssey’ Programme and middle and senior career academic researchers spoke about key skills for ECRs such as securing funding and writing research papers, as well as the personal side of career progression in academia; finding what excites you and managing imposter syndrome. In the afternoon, those who attended the event heard from researchers who are pursuing competitive and fulfilling careers in business, the NGO sector and in private industry.

Speakers at the event included:

• Dr. Peter Tennant (SSM Honorary Secretary, University of Leeds) – “Supporting your Development with Mentoring”
• Ms. Sarah Fink (Athena Swan Project Officer, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland) – “Athena SWAN: Gender Equality and Support for Early Career Researchers”
• Ms. Imma Zoppi (Research Support Office, University College Cork) – “Understanding the Research Office: Its Role and Expertise”
• Ms. Mary-Kate O’Regan (HR Manager, University College Cork) – “How UCC Launched a Transformative Programme to Prepare PhDs and Research Staff for Rewarding Careers beyond Academia”
• Dr. Linda O’Keeffe (School of Public Health, University College Cork) – “Progressing from Early to Mid-Career; Finding a Direction,  Creating your Career Narrative and Beating Imposter Syndrome”
• Dr. Sheena McHugh (School of Public Health, University College Cork) – “Forever Finding Funding; Realities and Tricks of the Trade”
• Prof. Simon Capewell (Department of Public Health & Policy, University of Liverpool) – “Top Tips for Getting your Research Published and Disseminated”
• Dr. Martin Davoren (Executive Director, The Sexual Health Centre Cork) – “A Road Less Travelled: Turning Theory into Practice in the Third Sector”
• Dr. Fiona Geaney (Founder/CEO, Food Choice) “Cork Daring to Lead? Thinking Outside the Box to Bridge the Gap Between Research and Industry”
• Dr. Sarah Jo Sinnott (Harvard University, Massachusetts) – “Switching it Up - Academia to Industry”

 
Ms. Emmy Racine who won a prize for best rapid fire 
presentation during the SSM Conference: "Us" and "Them."

Members of the SSM ECR subcommittee who organized the joint SSM/IEA ECR event. Pictured (l-r): 
Mr. Paul Henery (communications officer); Dr. Kathryn Skivington (chair); Dr. Janice Atkins
(mentoring officer); Ms. Georgia Chatzi (newsletter officer); Dr. Kate O'Neill (local officer): and
Ms. Niamh McGrath (local officer),

The Joint Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Social Medicine & Population Health and the International Epidemiology Association European Congress was held in Cork from 4th -6th of September, organised by the University College of Cork School of Public Health.

The conference was attended by more than 300 people from all over the world. Topics which were covered include epidemiology, health services research, psychology, public health and social sciences. 

The event featured 90 speakers dispersed over three days who spoke about topics such as; Cancer, Food Policy, Lifecourse Epidemiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Ageing / Older People and Mental Health. This was accompanied by 36 rapid fire presentations throughout the course of the conference which covered topics such as; Chronic Disease, Mental Health, Pregnancy & Infant, Child & Adolescent Health, Interventions & Stakeholders’ Perspectives, Health inequalities and Social Medicine & Population Health.

In addition, two poster presentation sessions displayed eighty-three posters, these addressed topics such as;

• “Healthcare system performance in continuity of care for patients with severe mental illness: a comparison of five European countries”, Nicaise et al
• “Adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term risk of maternal renal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis”, Barrett et al
• “Communication is the root issue: Informing the development of cyberbullying interventions”, Dennehy et al
• “Developing a healthy lifestyle index for asthma and allergy prevention in childhood”, Morales et al

Key speakers and topics included: 

•  Professor Kenneth Rothman (Boston University, USA) – “The End of Statistical Significance Questing”

•  Professor Margaret Whitehead (University of Liverpool, UK) - “Barely Believable” or Nakedly Truthful: What is the Point of Doing Research on Child Poverty and Health?

•  Professor Valerie Beral (University of Oxford, UK) – “The Power of Collaborative Research in Epidemiology”

Eunice T. Phillip, Eve Griffin & Elaine McMahon

More than 300 participants attended

The Japan Epidemiological Association (JEA) and the International Epidemiological Association (IEA) Western Pacific (WP) region invite applications for the JEA-IEAWP Travel Award. Participants from the Western Pacific region who have an accepted abstract for oral presentation at the World Congress of Epidemiology (WCE) 2020 are eligible for this award. This award is intended to defray the cost of attending the meeting to support early career epidemiologists in the presentation of their high-quality research and their professional development.

An award of ISD $2,000 USD  will be made to up to 4 participants, and an award of $1,600 plus a registration waiver will be made to 5 participations. The grants are intended to offset expenses related to WCE 2020 attendance and travel. More details will be available on the WCE2020 website soon.

The symposium will invite speakers from 5 regional epidemiological associations including: Association of Chinese Epidemiology; Australasian Epidemiological Association; Korean Society of Epidemiology; Taiwan Epidemiology Association and Japan Epidemiological Association. It also invites speakers from early-career epidemiologist networks in this region. 

Information on Travel Grants is available here.