About This Seminar
In an upcoming presentation set for March 6, 2024, Dr. Paula Christen, a distinguished social scientist and epidemiologist from Imperial College London, will delve into the crucial intersection of mathematical modeling and policy formulation. The talk, titled "From Models to Policy: Navigating the Landscape of HPV Vaccination in Mozambique," promises to unravel the intricate relationship between scientific models and political decision-making in the context of infectious diseases.
Dr. Christen's presentation addresses a critical gap where mathematical models often exist in isolation from the political decision-making sphere, leading to potential oversights in addressing current and future policy questions. Drawing from her extensive expertise in health economics, data science, and infectious disease modeling, Dr. Christen will present a groundbreaking study focused on the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in Mozambique.
Objectives
Systematic identification of policy-relevant questions surrounding the HPV vaccination program
Use of mathematical models to address policy queries
Scrutinize the assumptions underlying mathematical models
Quantify the value of the vaccination program from diverse perspectives including population health, health system efficiency, and societal impact
Key Highlights
A highlight of the study is the active engagement of various stakeholders, fostering collaboration and leading to the evaluation of hypotheses that extend beyond the immediate scope of the vaccination program. This holistic approach ensures that the mathematical models align with the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the Mozambican context.
Seminar Details
Dr. Paula Christen's illustrious background, encompassing two Master's degrees and a Ph.D., positions her as a leading expert in the field. Currently serving as a postdoctoral fellow, her dedication to evidence-informed decision-making in public health emergencies within resource-constrained settings is evident in her diverse portfolio of work. In her Ph.D. research, Dr. Christen explored knowledge translation from science to policy, with a specific focus on vaccination programs at both global and national levels. Her work at the national level honed in on the development and utilization of evidence from mathematical models in the introduction of the HPV vaccine in Mozambique. Beyond academia, Dr. Christen has contributed significantly to real-world challenges, supporting organizations such as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the World Health Emergencies (WHO), and the Imperial COVID-19 Response Team during the ongoing pandemic. Her current projects span economic evaluations of global health financing programs, guest editorials on research equity, diversity, and inclusion, and initiatives exploring the integration of climate information services to fortify health systems.
