In May 2023, SHARP Joint Action partners were out in force at the World Congress on Public Health: A World in Turmoil – Opportunities to Focus on the Public’s Health.

The experts working in the field of preparedness for cross border threats to health took the opportunity to disseminate a selection of its work to some of over 3,000 public health professionals and researchers, policymakers, and students convening in Rome, Italy.
This significant event was organised by the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) in association with the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health (SItI) and the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER).
The SHARP Joint Action abstracts presented are detailed in the official congress abstract book (PDF, 8.59 MB) and include:

Helsedirektoratet, Norwegian Directorate of Health. High consequence infectious diseases in Europe – the need for an expert clinical support service.
Arne Brantsæter, Norwegian Directorate of Health and Oslo University Hospital

Robert Koch Institute (RKI) SHARP Work Package 7: EMERGE Laboratory Network.
Anna Katz, THL presents the EMERGE Laboratory Network on behalf of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI)
EMERGE aims to provide a common, coordinated and effective response to highly dangerous and emerging pathogens at EU level.
National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Netherlands
Oral Communication on ‘Which sectors should be involved in public health emergency preparedness, response and recovery? A RAND modified consensus procedure among European Union national experts.’
During the congress, SHARP partners also attended many of the sessions including joining with national focal points for health (NFP4H) at the HaDEA-led, Q&A on the EU Health Programme.

SHARP Joint Action workshop, 5 May 2023 How SHARP are your health security arrangements against cross-border health threats?
SHARP’s involvement culminated in a workshop on the key insights from the Strengthening International HeAlth Regulations & Preparedness (SHARP) four-year collaborative action of 26 countries and 61 partners that focuses on strengthening the implementation of Decision 1082/2013/EU on serious cross-border threats to health: and the International Health Regulations (2005).
The workshop was chaired by Giri Shankar of Public Health Wales
Download the presentations from the session which include:

An overview of the outputs of the SHARP Joint Action and how the priorities can be implemented in member countries: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)

IHR core capacity strengthening and assessment: The Norwegian Directorate of Health

Strengthening the capacity for IHR implementation for serious cross-border health threats through cross-sectoral, basic and advanced training: Institute of Public Health of Serbia, “Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut” (IPHS)

Identifying the sectors that should be involved in public health emergency preparedness, response and recovery: National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Netherlands
Sandra Kamga, RIVM

Case management and infection prevention and control preparedness: The National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) “Lazzaro Spallanzani”
Francesco Vairo, The National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) Lazzaro-Spallanzani

How project progress monitoring using evaluation methodology and procedures can continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of collaborative joint action: National Public Health Organization, Greece (EODY)
Eleonora Chatzipaschali, EODY

How to utilise communications tools, understanding of health policies and the challenges to dissemination to achieve effective visibility, awareness and impact for the work on multiple stakeholders: Public Health Wales, UK
Karen Dancey Public Health Wales