Report: Economics of Pandemic Preparedness - Trade-offs in peacetime and pandemics 

Publication date: 17 July, 2024

Introduction: Pandemics and epidemics can lead to great loss of life - and they are costly to fight.  Preventing and preparing for the next pandemic may be one of the best investments countries can make. So why is pandemic prevention and preparedness so severely underfunded?  And more importantly, what should be invested – and where – to improve preparedness?  

This report summarises key messages, challenges and proposed solutions presented in an interdisciplinary Imperial College workshop organized by Imperial College London’s Jameel Institute, Institute of Infection and the Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation, on the 22 April 2024 at The Royal Society, London.

The meeting brought together speakers from finance and economics, public health, epidemiology and infectious diseases to debate the policy, investment, and research priorities needed to effectively prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics in the context of limited budgets and the needs of both the global north and the global south. In particular, delegates discussed the tough choices that must be made to navigate the trade-offs between population health and the economy. 

Download the report: Report: Economics of Pandemic Preparedness

Authors: Jameel Institute, Institute of Infection and the Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation

With thanks to the contributors and speakers:  Professor Katharina Hauck, Professor Katharina Hauck (Deputy Director, Jameel Institute, Imperial College London), Professor Charles Bangham (Professor Charles Bangham, co-Director, Institute of Infection, Imperial College London), Professor Jonathan Haskel (Imperial College Business School and External Member of the Monetary Policy Committee, Bank of England), Professor John Edmunds (London School Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), Professor Susan Michie (Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London), Dr Ifedayo Adetifa (Clinical epidemiologist, former General Director, Nigeria CDC), Professor Els Torreele (Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, UCL), Dr Edith Patouillard (WHO Department of Health Financing and Economics), Mr George Richards (Director, Community Jameel), Professor Faith Osier (Co-Director of the Institute of Infection, Imperial College London), Professor Mark Jit (Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Dynamics, LSHTM) and Professor Rifat Atun (Professor of Global Health Systems and Director of the Health Systems Innovation Lab, Harvard University), Sara Williams (Jameel Institute), Ellie Farrow (Jameel Institute).

Funding: The workshop and report were supported by the Jameel Institute, Institute of Infection and the Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation. We also thank the Jameel Institute funders: Community Jameel and Kenneth C. Griffin. 

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Report: Navigating degrees of certainty

Publication date: 10 August, 2022

Introduction: Scientific evidence plays an important role in informing policy decisions. Science advisers are responsible for communicating that evidence in a way that is useful and understandable for policymakers. Made the most of, these interactions can produce policies that harness scientific and other expertise to tackle societal issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic proved an extraordinary test of the science-policy interface. Decisions had to be made with great urgency, and despite significant scientific uncertainty.

This report combines senior scientists’ advice on communicating uncertainty and advising policymakers, gathered during the Institute’s ‘Science Communication to Policymakers’ workshop, and interviews with senior policy academics, to produce guidance on science advice in climates of uncertainty.

Download the report, Navigating Degrees of Certainty.

Author: David Warrell

With thanks to the contributors and speakers: Prof Charles Bangham, Prof Faith Osier, Prof Wendy Barclay, Prof Sir John Bell, Prof Paul Cairney, Dame Sally Davies, Prof Christl Donnelly, Prof Neil Ferguson, Dr Fiona Lethbridge, Dr Rupert Lewis, Prof David Nabarro, Dr Kathryn Oliver, Prof Peter Openshaw, Prof Roger Pielke Jr., Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter, Prof Andy Stirling, Dr Stephen Webster, Prof James Wilsdon, Amanda Wolthuizen.

Workshop: The Science Communication to Policymakers: Navigating Degrees of Certainty Workshop was held on 21 February, 2022 at the Royal Society. It was co-hosted by the Institute of Infection and the Royal Society and funded via Imperial College's Policy Support Fund. It brought together scientists, policy experts, government advisers, and media to discuss the insights gained during the pandemic about the current system of science advice to policymakers. 

Click here to watch the workshop [available to Imperial staff/students only]

Funding: The workshop and report were supported by the UKRI Policy Support Fund and Imperial’s policy engagement programme, The Forum.