The ibs.GRANADA promotes research in epidemiology and public health with a citizen voice at the 7th Conference of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health of the Institute
The event, held at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, and representatives of patient associations to share scientific advances and strengthen collaboration among the various stakeholders involved in improving public health.
The Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA) has celebrated the VII Conference on Advances in Research in Epidemiology and Public Health, a meeting that brought together more than fifty health professionals, scientists, and representatives of the association network to address current public health challenges from a scientifically and socially committed perspective.
The conference addressed highly topical issues such as the environmental and genetic determinants of health, the impact of respiratory viruses, the effects of emerging pollutants, mental health, and the role of patient associations in research.
The event was opened by the Territorial Delegate for Health and Consumer Affairs in Granada, Dr. Indalecio Sánchez-Montesinos García; the medical director of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Dr. Manuel Liñán López; the medical director of the San Cecilio Clinical Hospital, Dr. Francisco Guerrero García; the Rector's Delegate for Health and Relations with the Health System of the University of Granada, Ms. Virginia Aparicio García Molina, the managing director of the Andalusian School of Public Health, Dr. Blanca Botello Díaz and Dr. Maria Jose Sanchez Perez, scientific director of the ibs.GRANADA.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Maria Jose Sanchez PerezDr. Sánchez, scientific director of ibs.GRANADA, highlighted the essential role of epidemiological research as a tool for generating real changes in population health. “This conference demonstrates ibs.GRANADA's commitment to a science that not only seeks to advance knowledge but also to provide real solutions to the health problems affecting our society. Collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, and citizens is key to achieving fairer and more effective public health,” said Dr. Sánchez.
The inaugural lecture was given by Dr. José María Navarro Marí, head of the Microbiology Department at Virgen de las Nieves Hospital, who analyzed the role of respiratory viruses as a constant threat to public health and the need to strengthen surveillance and response systems in the face of future pandemics.
One of the most notable spaces of the day was the round table on patient associations, where representatives of entities such as the Platform of Patient Associations of Granada, AGDEM (Multiple Sclerosis Association of Granada) and AUGRA (Granada Association of Autoimmune Diseases) have shared their vision of the active role of patients in biomedical research and the improvement of the healthcare system.
The conference also addressed key topics such as the effects of environmental pollutants on child and maternal health, the role of the exposome in metabolic diseases through the EXOMAIR project, as well as recent research on primary care, infectious diseases, asthma, COPD, and the use of artificial intelligence in medicine.
The scientific coordinators of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dr. Marina Lacasaña Navarro and Dr. Antonio Sampedro Martínez, have highlighted the usefulness of these types of meetings to strengthen research and open new lines of collaboration. "These events allow us to highlight the work being done in Granada in the fields of epidemiology and public health. Sharing progress and networking is essential for research to have a real impact on improving the quality of life of the population," stated the Area's coordinators.
With this event, the ibs.GRANADA strengthens its role as a benchmark in public health research, promoting science oriented toward social impact, equity, and prevention.
About the ibs.GRANADA
The Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, is the only center accredited by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) that develops biomedical research of excellence in Granada and one of the four accredited in Andalusia by the ISCIII.
The ibs.GRANADA is structured in four Scientific Areas: Oncology, Precision Medicine, Epidemiology and Public Health and Technology and Advanced Therapies that develop an intense research activity and lead the transfer of research results to society, which are reflected in the 1.063 publications made in scientific journals, totaling 6.528 impact factor points, as well as 23 patents applied for during 2024.
Currently, the Institute brings together more than 1.105 professionals and 69 multidisciplinary research groups that make up, from the University of Granada, the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, the San Cecilio Clinical University Hospital, the Andalusian School of Public Health and Primary Care Centers in Granada.
The main objectives of ibs.GRANADA are to promote biomedical, clinical and epidemiological research carried out by the different groups attached to the institute and to facilitate translational research in Granada hospitals. This research activity translates into the generation of knowledge and the transfer of scientific advances towards the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of priority health problems in Andalusia.
