School of Advanced Study NZ-UK Link Foundation Stopping pandemic diseases at the border: Can it be done? Professor Michael Baker (University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand) Throughout history, the movement of people between regions and across borders has been a major contributor to the spread of infectious diseases. The speed and volume of modern air travel greatly increases the potential for emerging infectious diseases such as influenza and SARS-like viruses to spread globally. Similarly, migration means that diseases such as HIV and drug resistant tuberculosis that are 'endemic' in some populations also spread globally. This lecture will review the potential to better manage the risk of imported infectious diseases at the borders. It will make the case for a more rational and globally consistent approach to disease screening and management than we have at present. This presentation will draw on our research to investigate the value of border screening tools such as passenger screening and thermal scanning. Michael Baker is a public health physician and Professor of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington. He is a highly respected authority on infectious diseases epidemiology and environmental health. His research won the New Zealand Health Research Council's top award, the Liley Medal, in 2013 and his Housing and Health Research Group received the Prime Minister's Science prize in 2014. Professor Baker has worked internationally with the World Health Organisation and his research is part-funded by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. During his tenure with SAS, Professor Baker's series of four lectures will analyse the impact of infectious disease epidemics and pandemics, how they have shaped the modern world, and what health authorities, Governments and international agencies should do about them. 'My aim is to move beyond the epidemiology of pandemic diseases to consider what we can learn from these phenomena. I want to illustrate the importance of scientific knowledge, enhanced visibility, social justice and global governance in helping us respond effectively to these major health challenges.' said Professor Baker. The Link Foundation's purpose is to make an ongoing and substantial contribution to the intellectual, educational, vocational and academic underpinning of the bilateral NZ-UK relationship in a changing world. This lecture was held at the City of London, Guildhall.