Research priorities for improved pandemic and epidemic intelligence

Comprehensive Summary

This study conducted a global research priority-setting exercise for pandemic and epidemic intelligence using a modified Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative approach. Led by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in collaboration with global partners, the process involved 213 international experts and resulted in 23 prioritized research statements across 8 thematic domains: AI and technological advances, data preparedness, quality standards, analytical frameworks, multisectoral approaches, community-centred approaches, governance, and evidence-to-policy translation. The top priorities identified were developing multipathogen point-of-care diagnostics, improving multidisciplinary data integration for epidemic detection, and establishing rapid evaluation methods for public health interventions. Despite broad expert input, participation skewed toward high-income countries and European institutions.

Outcomes and Implications

These 23 research priorities provide a roadmap for funders, policymakers, and researchers to strategically direct investments in pandemic surveillance and response. Closing gaps in data governance, AI validation, community-centered surveillance, and evidence-to-policy translation will be critical for building more equitable and effective global health emergency systems. The findings also highlight a need for greater inclusion of low- and middle-income country perspectives in future priority-setting exercises to ensure global applicability.