Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

09-May-2025

Arch Hellen Med, 42(Supplement 1), 2025, 101-109

SPECIAL ARTICLE

Preparedness and response to public health crises and emergencies: A priority for society today

T. Panagiotopoulos,¹ I. Damikouka,¹ L. Evrenoglou,¹ G. Zervas,¹ D. Iliopoulos,² E. Thireos,³ O. Kavoura,¹ M. Kogevinas,⁴ M. Malliori,⁵ A. Baka,⁶ M. Bebi,⁷ P. Nikolopoulos-Stamatis,⁵ A. Papagiannis,⁸ A. Papadakis,⁹ D. Papaichail,¹ V. Papanikolaou,¹ E. Patsoula,¹⁰ M. Pleuraki,¹¹ M. Sakoufaki,¹² G. Saroglou,¹³ M. Tsantidou¹⁴
¹Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens,
²National Public Health Organization, Athens,
³General Practitioner/Family Physician, Director of National Health System, Head of General Directorate, National Agency for Quality Assurance in Health SA, President of Athens Medical Society,
Athens,
⁴Instituto de Salud Global (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain,
⁵School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
⁶Principal Expert, Public Health Preparedness and Response Support, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden,
⁷Doctor of Public Health of National Health System and Ministry of Health, Athens,
⁸Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens, Athens,
⁹Public Health Directorate, Region of Crete; President of Hellenic Association of Public Health Inspectors, Heraklion, Crete,
¹⁰Laboratory for the Surveillance of Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens,
¹¹Division of Health, National Transparency Authority, Athens,
¹²Public Health Directorate, Region of Attica; President of Hellenic Association of Health Visitors, Athens,
¹³School of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
¹⁴Vice President of the Panhellenic Union of Public Health Physicians of National Health System, Athens, Greece

Preparedness and response to health crises is of great importance for societies, as shown by the COVID-19 pandemic. International and European organisations are adapting their preparedness and response mechanisms to better address modern threats. The initiatives of the World Health Organization and the European Union (EU) are analysed, such as revision of the International Health Regulations and amendments to EU Regulations on cross-border health threats. The principles for organising preparedness and response to public health crises are described, such as epidemiological surveillance systems and response mechanisms that operate with competence and high scientific level under normal conditions and have the potential to expand when emergencies arise. The importance of functional preparedness plans is stressed, which are developed with the involvement of competent bodies and civil society, and include staff training, periodic review and evaluation of plans. In the present-day world, the necessary preparedness concerns infectious diseases, food safety, environment, and climate change. In Greece, the systematic development of public health services at the regional and local level, combined with the formation of well-trained public health personnel, is an important priority.

Key words: Health emergencies, Infectious diseases, Preparedness, Public health, Response.