Public health

Activities and Description of Scientist Panel on Public Health

At the end of 2008, the EFNS SP on (Neuroepidemiology &) Public Health included 35 Members from across Europe, high quality researchers covering focused interests in the epidemiology of a variety of neurological disorders, and clinical expertise. The SP was integrated with new members in order to geographically cover all European Countries, and allow active neuroepidemiologists to participate to our activities. Members have been shared the EFNS general policies. They are invited to participate to the meetings held within the EFNS annual congresses, and contacts are individually undertaken on a weekly basis on EFNS activities to be planned and carried out.

In 2008 and 2009 the SP on Public Health actively participated to the identification of topics of interests and the design of future EFNS congresses sections, both within the panel members, and in task force with other SPs. A focused workshop on evidence-based guidelines for the management of cerebrovascular disorders in clinical practice was designed by our SP and is included in the EFNS Geneva Congress Programme (2010). Seven proposals have recently been submitted by our SP to be evaluated for the 2011 EFNS congress.

Indeed, due to their expertise in methodology, our panel members are committed to transversally collaborate with other EFNS panels in ensuring adequate study designs and correct interpretation of results. The same philosophy is behind the current design of guidelines.

The SP fosters the spread of an epidemiological culture among neurologists, as well as the establishment of neuropidemiological study groups and associations in countries developing a strong interest for the discipline (e.g. Bulgaria). In the past two years, members of the SP have individually collaborated with liason societies, such as the European Charcot Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis Research, European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP), and the European Brain Council (EBC).

 

(October 30^th 2009)