The Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the largest global health programs in the United States. Two recent additions to the institute’s portfolio of health initiatives aim to improve understanding of the long-term effects of Covid-19, while improving UNC Hospitals’ community preparedness and capacity for future medical and public health emergencies.
This Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has one of the largest global health programs in the United States. Founded and led by Myron “Mike” Cohen, MD, Yeargan-Bate Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology and Epidemiology and Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Health at UNC, the Institute fosters an environment in which faculty, students, and the broader university The community works together in unique, innovative ways to address critical issues in global health.
Two recent additions to the institute’s portfolio of health initiatives aim to improve understanding of the long-term effects of Covid-19, while improving UNC Hospitals’ community preparedness and capacity for future medical and public health emergencies. Members of the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and critical care experts Dr. William Fisher Dr. David Wohl leads both programs.
Longitudinal covid study
More than two years into the Covid-19 pandemic and researchers are still searching for answers to many of the burning COVID-19 questions such as how common Covid is, how well previous infections and vaccinations protect against re-infection with new strains of the virus, and Covid rebound. What factors are associated with
A new North Carolina study called visionFunded by NC Associatewill enroll 7,500 adults recently diagnosed with COVID-19 to understand various factors that affect individual risk for key clinical outcomes, including recovery from acute illness, symptom relapse, reinfection, and prolonged COVID-19.
VISION is the largest observational study of its kind in North Carolina. Those who join the study will complete regular online surveys about their health, and 750 of them will also be seen in person for blood and nasal swab tests. Participants will provide up to 72 months of data.
VISION is the newest study of Covid using the central infrastructure of the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases to conduct high-quality research. This infrastructure already allows UNC to be a site for important clinical research, including the Moderna and Novavax vaccine trials and the COVID therapeutic trial.
Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center
The US UNC Hospitals has been selected as a Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) by the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). UNC-Chapel Hill was one of three sites selected to expand beyond the existing 10 RESPTC sites in the US.
UNC School of Medicine’s Dr. William Fisher and Dr. David Wohl, both members of the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, will lead the new center, which is funded by a $3-million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
ASPR grants are designed to help increase the nation’s preparedness and capacity to respond to emerging pathogens during medical and public health emergencies. At UNC Hospitals, the grant will allow specialists in critical care, infectious diseases and infection control to train and educate staff at UNC Hospitals, other hospitals and clinics in urban areas and rural communities across the Southeast.
Fischer and Wohl, who have both provided direct care here and abroad to patients with special pathogens such as Ebola, Lassa fever, Covid-19 and human monkeypox, will lead the implementation of plans and protocols to establish a specialized intensive care unit with capacity. For the care of two patients with specific pathogens. Their plans will also be responsible for expanding the hospital’s capabilities if the need arises.
“UNC-Chapel Hill is perfectly positioned to take on this responsibility,” said Dr. said Cohen, founding director of the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, the Yeargan-Batt Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Epidemiology and associate vice chancellor. Medical matters. “Our long history and dedication to treating special pathogen patients in Africa, around the world and at home, as well as our strong partnerships with public health leaders in North Carolina, prepare us to handle whatever may come our way.”
UNC first established the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases in 2007 to coordinate and catalyze global health activities across campus. The UNC Project-Malawi in Lilongwe and the UNC Project-China in Guangzhou emerged as the first two flagship programs, both focusing on HIV prevention and treatment. As the organization has grown, its mission is to successfully diagnose, save lives, and provide critical training to thousands of health professionals in resource-limited communities in the US and around the world.
