Event: Webinar: Epidemiological insights from Malta: COVID-19 trends, vaccination impact, and lessons for future global preparedness
Date: 28 November 2024
Time: 14:00-15:00
Venue: Online event (Via Zoom)
The Islands and Small States Institute (ISSI) of the University of Malta will be holding a webinar titled “Epidemiological insights from Malta: COVID-19 trends, vaccination impact, and lessons for future global preparedness”.
The Islands and Small States Institute (ISSI) of the University of Malta will be holding a webinar titled “Epidemiological insights from Malta: COVID-19 trends, vaccination impact, and lessons for future global preparedness”.
The event will take place on Thursday 28 November 2024, between 14:00 and 15:00 (CET). Registration is required online.
Abstract: This webinar will examine the epidemiological impact of COVID-19 on Malta, a small island nation with distinct healthcare challenges. It will cover Malta’s pandemic trends, the direct and indirect burden on the population and healthcare system, along with the outcomes of its rapid vaccination campaign. Comparisons will be made with other European islands and microstates, highlighting key differences in response strategies.
The session will address how the pandemic exposed health inequalities, particularly in non-communicable disease care, due to service disruptions. Key lessons from Malta will be discussed and recommendations for future pandemic preparedness, focusing on resilient healthcare systems and public health surveillance, will also be shared.
About the speaker: Dr Sarah Cuschieri is an epidemiologist specialising in the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases. She graduated as a medical doctor in 2011 and embarked on an academic and research career at the University of Malta in 2013. In 2023, she became an Adjunct Research Professor with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University, Canada, and Vice-President of the Chronic Diseases Section of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA). She holds a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Malta and a postgraduate Diploma and Masters in Diabetes Mellitus type 2 from Cardiff University, where she received a silver award of excellence. In recognition of her leadership and academic contributions, she received the TOYP Academic Leadership Award in 2021 and became a fellow of AdvanceHE in 2024. Dr Cuschieri has consistently ranked among the top 2% of most-cited scientists globally (2020-2023). She is currently the principal investigator of the Horizon Europe Project RAPIDE and is involved in numerous research collaborations focusing on non-communicable diseases, small European states, and Long COVID.
The event will be hosted by Prof. Stefano Moncada, Director of the ISSI.
Further information is available by email.
