What research labs are doing to tackle global health crises

May 12, 2024 46

There’s one thing that patients and health care professionals can agree on since the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been an even bigger push in the medical field. Just think about it for a moment: private medical practices are now incorporating telehealth services for patients who lack the time or lack of means to visit their doctor, pharmaceutical delivery services are now reaching rural areas, and it’s even easier to buy health-related tests online and in stores and get results in minutes.

Plus, AI, now readily available, has also been pushing for changes too. A lot of this was bound to happen, but a global crisis like COVID-19 did help exacerbate this. But speaking of which, this was the time (and even now actually) that research labs have gotten more attention. During the pandemic for the last few years, they were one of the biggest fighters trying to get the world back to normal.

In fact, in any health crises, like the Spanish Flu, polio, SARS, H1N1 virus, and so many others throughout the decades, research labs got the world back to normal. So, in what other ways are they the biggest players?

Accelerating health innovation through pushing boundaries

It was just like what was being said above There’s always this constant push for innovation. Thanks to these vaccine lab services, outbreaks are hardly a repeat. Just take a look at Polio. Since 1988, the rate of Polio has gone down by 99%, and the cases are incredibly rare now.

They have the technology and the expertise to decipher the complexities of pathogens and diseases. Whether it’s identifying the genetic makeup of a novel virus or studying its mode of transmission, these labs are at the forefront of discovery. Sometimes, they’re able to detect something and create a vaccine for it before it can even spread.

Monitoring and surveillance before it spreads

Have you ever heard the phrase “forewarned is forearmed”? That’s basically the mantra of research labs regarding emerging threats. It’s about scanning the horizon. Plus, looking out for anything that might cause trouble. By keeping tabs on diseases and running advanced tests, they’re the early warning system that helps us stay ahead of the game.

Collaboration and knowledge sharing

This is the biggest aspect of it all, collaboration- the whole goal for tackling global health crises is to share information on a global scale to solve and prevent issues. The COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of this as major research labs and pharmaceutical labs (like Johnson and Pfizer). It’s about tackling the big problem rather than monopolizing a vaccine. It’s about pooling in knowledge for the greater good rather than a lab or company thinking about how they can maximize their profits.

Education and outreach through empowerment

Do you remember the sheer number of PSAs that were out there during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic? Do you remember the precautions recommended? They were everywhere: on the news, on social media, and even posters in real life. It goes back to the greater good of the world rather than finding a way to maximize profits.

Plus, research labs aren’t just about doing science—they’re also about inspiring the next generation of scientists. On a global scale, there are a lot of labs that are actively involved in education and outreach efforts, mentoring students, hosting workshops, and engaging with the community. It’s all about sowing the seeds for a healthier future.