Scientific Program

Day 1
Day 2

Keynote Session:

Christiana Olamide Iyiola

University Of Suffolk, United Kingdom

Title: NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Biography:

Christiana Olamide Iyiola is a medical practitioner with a commitment to public health and humanitarian work. She has over 9 years experience in working in a non-profit sector where she advocates for health promotion through her series of health education and awareness programmes. She is currently working on a foundation which focuses on awareness and prevention of non-communicable diseases.

Abstract:

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic diseases that result from multiple factors such as genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. NCDs are of long duration and affect people irrespective of their gender, age, race, or geographic location. The majority of the diseases in this group include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, obesity, chronic respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and mental disorders. This group of diseases has become epidemic with drastically increasing mortality especially in low-to-middle income countries where the health burden from this group of diseases has doubled that of infectious diseases. It is the leading cause of death globally accounting for over 70% of deaths worldwide and more than three-quarters of death in low and middle-income countries.

NCDs, although defined as diseases that can not be transferred from person to person, there are some risk factors of diseases in this group caused by infection which include cancer of the stomach, liver, and cervix. Therefore, this definition of non-communicable disease should be reviewed. Furthermore, non-communicable diseases though caused by multiple factors, the WHO have recognised four main behavioural factors that increase the risk and mortality from diseases in the group. These behavioural factors include physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use and alcohol misuse. These behavioural factors in various researches have been found to have a significant effect on the reduction of non-communicable diseases when prevented globally. In conclusion, non-communicable diseases are silent killers that have claimed the lives of people prematurely. This group of diseases have greatly increased health burden globally therefore more research and awareness on the prevention of this epidemic group of diseases should be advocated for and prioritised globally especially in developing countries where the mortality is high.

10:30-11:00

Aysha Abdulkadir Haruna

Bayero University Kano, Nigeria

Title: Insights and Innovations in Public Health

Biography:

Aysha Abdulkadir Haruna is a health economist, freelance proofreader and digital marketer (social media marketing and advertisement), though hoping to take on new challenges and learn more on the job. Currently living and working remotely in Kano, Nigeria. Aysha likes attending webinars in order to gain new inspiration and inspire others. Team-oriented with proven ability to create positive rapport with people. Fluent in English and Hausa (and speak a little Arabic and French). Have a BSc in microbiology and MSc in health economics all from Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.

Abstract:

Innovation continues to be critical to tackle diseases without known cures and to help increase uptake and adherence to interventions that work.

As part of the report Prioritizing health: A prescription for prosperity, the McKinsey Global Institute identified ten promising innovations, now in progress, that could have a material impact on health by 2040. Focusing on technologies that address the greatest unmet needs, we determined the impact of these innovations by interviewing experts and evaluating the current biological understanding of each disease, as well as the effort and excitement surrounding the new techniques as measured by funding.

Identifying and sizing the potential scope of innovations now in the pipeline is inherently difficult, but we estimate that these technologies could reduce the burden of disease by a further 6 to 10 percent, assuming aspirational yet realistic adoption rates by 2040 on top of the 40 percent from known interventions. Some of these innovations could not only fully cure a number of diseases but also significantly extend healthy lifespans by tackling the underlying biology of aging and therefore postponing the onset of several age-related conditions. These possibilities make a sharp contrast with the innovations of the past 30 years, many of which reduced the symptoms or delayed the progression of diseases but rarely prevented or cured them. In addition, the innovations we have identified here are more digitally enabled than those of the past; for example, artificial intelligence (AI) systems make advances in omics and molecular technologies, such as gene editing, faster and more accurate.

How can we improve public health globally over the next two decades. .??
1) Omics and molecular technologies. Example: CRISPR and curbing malaria
2) Next-generation pharmaceuticals. Example: Senolytics and the regulation of cellular aging
3) Cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. Example: CAR T-cell therapy and the treatment of solid tumors
4) Innovative vaccines. Example: The AT04A vaccine and the lowering of cholesterol
5) Advanced surgical procedures. Example: Suspended animation for severe-trauma patients
6) Connected and cognitive devices. Example: E-tattoos for heart diagnostics
7) Electroceuticals.Example: Implantable microchips to mitigate chronic pain
8) Robotics and prosthetics. Example: Next-generation exoskeletons and mobility support
9) Digital therapeutics.Example: An AI-powered app to change behavior
10) Tech-enabled care delivery. Example: Multichannel care delivery