How will health researchers evaluate COVID-19 response?

Noon ET, Tuesday, April 14

When the aftermath of the Coronavirus outbreak arrives in your region, how are experts going to begin evaluating success or failure in efforts to slow transmission through methods from voluntary self-isolation to authorities banning crowds? Their answers might be the difference between life and death, especially absent a vaccine.

In North America, we’ve seen the cycle before: A disease hits a peak during cold weather months, subsides and moves to the southern hemisphere, then resurfaces in the fall. If this seasonal experience hold for COVID-19, it bodes for preparations by governments, providers, the public – and journalists, who will face the prospect of covering a potential resurgence. We’ll hear from a global health expert from the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, who can give an overview and answer questions to help journalists covering the local impact.

• Robert A. Bednarczyk, Ph.D., assistant professor of global health and epidemiology, Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University

• Moderator: Maryn McKenna, independent journalist and author

Robert Bednarczyk’s primary appointment is in the Hubert Department of Global Health, with a joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology. His work on human papillomavirus vaccine has led to his affiliations with both the Emory Vaccine Center and the Cancer Prevention and Control Program of the Winship Cancer Institute. Originally trained as a biochemist, he worked as a chemist and a laboratory systems validation specialist for seven years before going to graduate school to study epidemiology. He has conducted research on vaccination with extensive experience working with large databases and conducts qualitative research to provide a framework for developing and evaluating interventions to increase vaccine acceptance.