December 27 marks International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, a United Nations (UN)-designated day to raise global awareness about preventing, detecting and responding to epidemics, emphasizing that preparedness is key to saving lives and protecting communities.
It is also a reminder that epidemics and pandemics are not rare, unpredictable events, but recurring global threats that demand sustained political will, scientific investment and collective action.
From COVID-19 to Ebola, mpox, cholera and influenza, infectious disease outbreaks continue to expose deep inequities in global health systems and the consequences of treating preparedness as an afterthought rather than a priority.
The Current Case of Measles
Currently, measles is emerging as a pressing epidemic threat. This year, the US is experiencing its worst surge of measles in over three decades, with nearly 2,000 confirmed cases across more than 40 states and multiple active outbreaks, including rapidly growing clusters in places like South Carolina, driven largely by gaps in vaccination coverage.
Public health officials warn the US could lose its measles elimination status if transmission isn’t controlled.
Globally, measles outbreaks are also occurring in many parts of the Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia, with rising case numbers tied to declining routine immunization rates and ongoing virus circulation in under-vaccinated communities.
Why Epidemic Preparedness Matters
Epidemics transcend borders. An outbreak that begins in one community can quickly escalate into a regional or global emergency, disrupting healthcare systems, economies and social stability. Yet despite decades of warnings from public health experts, many countries remain dangerously underprepared.
The UN warns that “in the event of the absence of international attention, future epidemics could surpass previous outbreaks in terms of intensity and gravity.”
The agency says that, as a result, there is a strong need to raise awareness and to promote the exchange of information, scientific knowledge and best practices, as well as to strengthen quality education and advocacy programs on epidemics “at the local, national, regional and global levels as effective measures to prevent and respond to epidemics.”
The UN also emphasizes the need to focus on vulnerable populations during global public health crises and epidemics. “UN member states commit to ensure inclusive, equal and non-discriminatory participation, with special attention to those who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situations with the highest chance of epidemic infection.”
To coordinate better global responses to epidemics, international cooperation and multilateralism are crucial.
“We need to stress the significance of partnership and solidarity among every individual, community and State and regional and international organizations, in all stages of epidemic management, as well as the importance of considering a gender perspective in this regard,” the UN states.
The UN system, particularly the World Health Organization (WHO), plays a central role in coordinating epidemic responses in line with its mandate, the UN says. It supports national, regional and global efforts to prevent, mitigate and respond to infectious diseases, in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The 2030 Agenda centers on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all by 2030, balancing economic, social and environmental dimensions with a core principle of “Leave No One Behind.”
The UN calls on recognizing “the primary role and responsibility of Governments and the indispensable contribution of relevant stakeholders in tackling global health challenges, especially women, who make up the majority of the world’s health workers.”
Effective Preparedness
Effective epidemic preparedness goes far beyond immediate, emergency response in any given moment.
It includes early surveillance and data sharing, robust public health infrastructure, well-resourced laboratories and healthcare workforces and equitable access to diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.
Clear, trustworthy public communication is also key in disseminating information quickly and efficiently, and using it to coordinate responses.
When these systems are weak or fragmented, outbreaks spread faster, mortality rises and misinformation fills the void.
COVID-19: A Wake-Up Call
The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the consequences of chronic underinvestment in public health.
While unprecedented scientific collaboration led to the rapid development of vaccines, global responses were marked by vaccine nationalism, supply chain failures and stark inequities between high-income and low-income countries.
Many of the lessons identified during earlier outbreaks, such as the need for coordinated global governance and strong primary healthcare systems, were ignored, with devastating results.
For millions, the cost was not only illness and death, but lost livelihoods, education and long-term health.
In a Nelson Mandela Lecture (“Tackling the Inequality Pandemic: A New Social Construct for a New Era”), António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, discussed how “COVID-19 is a human tragedy. But it has also created a generational opportunity. An opportunity to build back a more equal and sustainable world. The response to the pandemic, and to the widespread discontent that preceded it, must be based on a New Social Contract and a New Global Deal that create equal opportunities for all and respect the rights and freedoms of all.”
Preparedness Is Also About Equity
Epidemics disproportionately impact marginalized and vulnerable populations, including those living in conflict zones, under occupation or in settings with fragile healthcare systems. Preparedness must therefore be rooted in health equity, ensuring that life-saving tools are not treated as privileges of wealth or geopolitics.
Global preparedness cannot succeed if entire regions are excluded from surveillance networks, vaccine manufacturing or emergency response planning.
International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is not just a moment for reflection; it is a call to action. Governments, global institutions and the private sector must work together to increase sustained funding for public health and prevention, and to strengthen the WHO and multilateral cooperation. They must also support regional manufacturing of vaccines and medical supplies, protect healthcare workers and scientists and counter misinformation through transparent, science-based communication.
Preparedness must be continuous, not reactive, built into health systems long before the next outbreak makes headlines.
Epidemics are a collective challenge, and preparedness is a shared responsibility. On this International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2025, the question is not whether another epidemic will occur, but whether the world will be ready when it does.
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