Data, disease and diplomacy: GISAID's innovative contribution to global health

Stefan Elbe; Gemma Buckland‐Merrett

doi:10.1002/gch2.1018

journal article Open Access Jan 01, 2017

Data, disease and diplomacy: GISAID's innovative contribution to global health

Stefan Elbe Gemma Buckland‐Merrett

Global Challenges Vol. 1 No. 1 pp. 33-46 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/gch2.1018

Abstract

AbstractThe international sharing of virus data is critical for protecting populations against lethal infectious disease outbreaks. Scientists must rapidly share information to assess the nature of the threat and develop new medical countermeasures. Governments need the data to trace the extent of the outbreak, initiate public health responses, and coordinate access to medicines and vaccines. Recent outbreaks suggest, however, that the sharing of such data cannot be taken for granted – making the timely international exchange of virus data a vital global challenge. This article undertakes the first analysis of the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data as an innovative policy effort to promote the international sharing of genetic and associated influenza virus data. Based on more than 20 semi‐structured interviews conducted with key informants in the international community, coupled with analysis of a wide range of primary and secondary sources, the article finds that the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data contributes to global health in at least five ways: (1) collating the most complete repository of high‐quality influenza data in the world; (2) facilitating the rapid sharing of potentially pandemic virus information during recent outbreaks; (3) supporting the World Health Organization's biannual seasonal flu vaccine strain selection process; (4) developing informal mechanisms for conflict resolution around the sharing of virus data; and (5) building greater trust with several countries key to global pandemic preparedness.

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Details

Published: Jan 01, 2017
Vol/Issue: 1(1)
Pages: 33-46
License: View

Authors

S

Stefan Elbe

Centre for Global Health Policy, School of Global Studies University of Sussex Brighton BN1 9SN UK

G

Gemma Buckland‐Merrett

Centre for Global Health Policy University of Sussex Brighton BN1 9SN UK

Cite This Article

Stefan Elbe, Gemma Buckland‐Merrett (2017). Data, disease and diplomacy: GISAID's innovative contribution to global health. Global Challenges, 1(1), 33-46. https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.1018

Data, disease and diplomacy: GISAID's innovative contribution to global health

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