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Ebola Pandemic? Bird Flu? Zombie Virus? Viral Flows of Information and Health Risks from Infectious Disease Outbreaks

A discussion of disease, health risks and viral information

Thursday October 16th, 2014

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

WOSU@COSI Studios

333 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215

Populations have been exposed to several major disease outbreaks in recent years, both globally and nationally. The bird flu, swine flu and now major Ebola pandemic in Africa have swept over the world within a few years. More recently, the United States has experienced a resurgence of disease outbreaks, such as the mumps and measles, in many American communities and college campuses — including in Ohio.

Our entertainment media has not gone uninfluenced by these health threats, producing multiple television programs and movies focused on deadly disease outbreaks ranging from bird flu to zombie viruses.

But what are the actual health risks from these infectious diseases, both major and minor? What are the factors driving this spread of old and new viruses? Has the public been well served by our media when reporting on these cases? Are they accurately reporting the risks and how to address the outbreaks, or are they feeding public fears and panic for ratings? What do we need to know to be best prepared?

Please join us for a public conversation, moderated by former WOSU radio host Fred Andrle, exploring these topics and more with a panel of local and national medical, media, and risk communication experts on October 16th at the WOSU@COSI studios from 7pm to 8:30pm. The event is free and open to the general public with seating beginning at 6:30pm. Attendees will be able to participate in the panel discussion during the Q&A session.

Please RSVP your attendance to science_forum@osu.edu by October 15th, 2014.

Panel Experts

  • Dr. Larry S. Schlesinger, Chair, Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity at the OSU College of Medicine
  • Dr. Vicki Friemuth, Director of the Southern Center for Communication, Health, & Poverty at the University of Georgia
  • Richard Harrris, Science Correspondent, National Public Radio

Presented by Health Science Frontiers (www.hsf.osu.edu)

Health Science Frontiers is funded by a generous grant from the Ohio State University Office of Outreach & Engagement and by the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. It is organized in partnership between the OSU School of Communication, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, WOSU@COSI, and the Center of Science & Industry.

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