Authors
Benny PV, Chief Editor, IMA Kerala Medical Journal; Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Sree Gokulam Medical College, Kerala, India.
Abstract
Introduction: Public Health Emergencies (PHEs), specifically Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC), are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 as extraordinary events constituting an international public health risk requiring coordinated global response. This editorial highlights the evolving understanding and challenges associated with these emergencies.
Discussion: The IHR legally binds 194 countries to disease prevention, surveillance, control, and response. The WHO Director-General, advised by the IHR Emergency Committee, determines PHEICs and issues temporary recommendations. Effective control of known risk factors is crucial for international health security. While events like the H1N1 pandemic and Ebola outbreaks clearly fit the PHEIC criteria, the classification of situations such as opioid epidemics, widespread injuries, or endemic diseases like tuberculosis, remains a subject of debate, raising questions about the traditional scope of emergency powers.
Conclusion: Despite international frameworks and response networks, many fundamental risks contributing to public health emergencies are still unaddressed. The article emphasizes the need for a sustained focus on public health issues, particularly in developing nations where high-mortality conditions often lack adequate attention, advocating for concentrated action amidst ongoing and emerging health crises.