FK-KMK UGM. The Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully hosted the 13th Public Health Symposium under the theme From Data to Action: Tackling Urban Health Challenges Through Epidemiology. The symposium took place on November 20-21, 2024, at FK-KMK UGM, bringing together participants from academia, practitioners, students, and policymakers.
The main focus of the symposium was to bridge the gap between research findings and their practical application in public policy. The event featured parallel and plenary sessions with experts from both domestic and international backgrounds addressing urban health challenges.
The parallel sessions showcased selected research abstracts covering diverse topics, from climate change to digital technology in strengthening health surveillance. These sessions provided a platform for in-depth discussions and emphasized the need to align academic research with on-ground implementation. Faculty members and researchers from FK-KMK UGM’s Master of Public Health program also presented updates on their studies, offering fresh insights into pressing public health issues.
Meanwhile, the plenary sessions featured prominent national and international speakers delivering compelling presentations. Prof. Paul Michael Pronyk, MD, EDCP (C), M.Sc., Ph.D., from Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, opened the session with a discussion on Building Outbreak Resilience in Urban Cities.
Abram L. Wagner, MPH, Ph.D., from the University of Michigan, USA, highlighted vaccination challenges in urban areas. “Overcoming vaccination challenges can be achieved through structural interventions, such as improving access to vaccines and fostering a pro-vaccine culture. Individual interventions, including motivational interviewing, also play a vital role,” dr. Wagner explained.
Additionally, dr. Vicka Oktaria, MPH, Ph.D., from FK-KMK UGM’s Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Population Health, presented a local innovation: wastewater surveillance as an early disease detection tool in Yogyakarta. Adjunct Assoc. Prof. Ooi Peng Lim Steven, MBBS, M.Sc., MPH, FAMS, from NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Singapore, explored complex health issues like air pollution and healthcare access through his topic Urban Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response – The Singapore Experience.
This symposium serves as part of FK-KMK’s effort to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The multidisciplinary collaboration emphasized in the 13th Public Health Symposium reflects FK-KMK’s commitment to contributing to these global targets. (Reporter: Fauziah Nurhasanah/Editor: Isroq Adi Subakti)
