ECOM stands for “Effective Communication in Outbreak Management: development of an evidence-based tool for Europe”. The ECOM project is a research project under the EU 7th Framework Programme and runs from February 2012 till February 2016. By bringing together various disciplines, the project aims to go beyond the current knowledge in order to develop an evidence-based behavioural and communication package for health professionals and agencies throughout Europe in case of major outbreaks of infectious diseases.
ECOM's goal is reached through the following specific objectives:
Many experts talk about pandemics and about the importance of preparedness but, based on the previous experience with the 2009 A(H1N1) swine flu, the issue of what a pandemic is and when it has to be declared is still under debate.
After three years of activity, TELL ME project has reached its conclusion and the conference held in Venice on last December 4-5 was the occasion to present the project’s main products.
TELL ME is a 36-month Collaborative Project, which aims to provide evidence and to develop models for improved risk communication during infectious disease crises. TELL ME combines public health, social sciences, behavioural sciences, political sciences, law, ethics, communication and media, in order to develop original communication strategies regarding complicated messages and advice based on uncertainties, also addressing vaccine-resistant groups.
Here is a list of the TELL ME deliverables that have strong implications with the ASSET aims and purposes:
Experience from the past taught us a lot about managing and communicating infectious threats. Indeed, the A(H1N1) 2009 influenza pandemic revealed a breakdown in the communication between decision makers, scientific institutions and the public. The milder than expected evolution of the A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic, notably, seemed to be a proof that the declaration of an emergency “had been drive” by economic interests. Many studies show that this event caused a loss of trust in health authorities and underestimate risks related to epidemics.