This course will provide the necessary risk- and science-based tools to evaluate and mitigate the microbial and chemical risks in a food production chain-from the farm until consumption. Participants will be divided in small interdisciplinary groups to mimic a real risk analysis team and develop a real-case scenario (different for each group). The attendants will follow the risk analysis process as an integral part of a science-based decision-making (risk prioritization, risk assessment, risk management and risk communication) to estimate and manage the food safety risks. The attendants will apply different qualitative (hazard analysis, decision matrices) and quantitative (risk prioritization, modeling and web-based software) tools by using a computer. The participants will present the main outcomes from the analyses and will evaluate possible mitigation options to reduce the risk in a cost-effective way.

The study of the spatio-temporal distribution of cases of disease is one of the basis of epidemiology, and ignoring the spatio-temporal dimension in disease investigations can lead to major biases and mistaken results. This course will provide the basis to understand the usefulness of Geographical Information Systems and spatiotemporal analyses to provide an increased precision to the qualitative and quantitative assessment of disease outbreaks, compare different populations/settings through the use of quantitative and objective criteria and detect significant phenomenon that may be imperceptible otherwise. Participants will be guided through the process of performing a complete outbreak investigation using GIS tools to describe a process, detect underlying spatio-temporal patterns in the presentation of disease using real and generated datasets and open-source software, and interpret the results to extract meaningful results in terms of disease management. Attendants will then replicate the whole process having to choose the most appropriate tools among those reviewed in the course, and interpreting their findings.

The world is interconnected politically, financially, biologically, and socially – and is also connected through trade, travel, and commerce. All of these factors power the convergence of, and impact upon, animal, human, and environmental health. One Health is about working collaboratively across disciplines and professions because it is no longer possible to focus on any single domain without impacting upon, and including, others. The Global Health Institute –Thailand (GHIT) will address these issues by providing an opportunity for students from across the Southeast Asia region to examine the impact of globalization on health - and to identify strategies that support a healthy and productive global workforce.

The intensive program of study offered at this GHI will focus on developing One Health leadership and technical capacity, which are both critical elements in transforming the current and future workforce to ensure preparedness for new and emerging public health challenges. Specifically, the course will use the challenge of antimicrobial resistance as a global health issue.

This is an introductory course for future practitioners of Participatory Epidemiology (PE).

Epidemiology is the study of the patterns of disease in populations in order to understand their impact, cause and identify actions that can mitigate their effect. Participation is an interactive approach that empowers people to identify and solve their own problems. Participatory epidemiology uses participatory techniques to understand the epidemiological information and knowledge contained within community knowledge systems. Its purpose is to contribute to informing health decision-making and action.

Participatory techniques include activities such as semi-structured interviews, ranking and scoring techniques, interactive mapping and diagraming techniques, as well as direct observation skills.

The training process is tailored to professionals and emphasizes practice and experiential learning. The first 2 days of the course will focus on principles and concepts. Thereafter, approximately 2 days will be devoted to in-class practice of participatory tools and methods. The remainder of the course will be in the field practicing techniques and planning of practical field assignment after the introductory course.

This is a practical course for future practitioners of Participatory Epidemiology (PE).

Epidemiology is the study of the patterns of disease in populations in order to understand their impact, cause and identify actions that can mitigate their effect. Participation is an interactive approach that empowers people to identify and solve their own problems. Participatory epidemiology uses participatory techniques to understand the epidemiological information and knowledge contained within community knowledge systems. Its purpose is to contribute to informing health decision-making and action.

Participatory techniques include activities such as semi-structured interviews, ranking and scoring techniques, interactive mapping and diagraming techniques, as well as direct observation skills.

The training process is tailored to professionals and emphasizes practice and experiential learning. The first 2 days of the course will focus on principles and concepts. Thereafter, approximately 2 days will be devoted to in-class practice of participatory tools and methods. The remainder of the course will be in the field practicing techniques and planning of practical field assignment after the introductory course.