In early November 2023, Rochelle Schneider, Technical Officer for ESA’s Global Development Assistance activity focusing on Health, participated and presented at the United Nations World Health Organization Space and Global Health conference in Geneva. This conference was a collaborative effort organised by the Government of Switzerland in collaboration with the Space and Global Health Network and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, receiving support from the European Space Agency and taking place at UNCTAD.
The primary objectives of this conference were to explore the contributions of space technology to global health, focusing on key areas such as Telemedicine, Tele-epidemiology, Environmental Health, Space Life Sciences, and Disaster and Health Emergency Management – areas closely linked to GDA’s upcoming AID Health activity. The overarching goals included raising awareness, building capacity, and fostering collaboration among decision-makers and practitioners in both the space and global health sectors—an initiative aligned with the support of Sustainable Development Goal 3, “Good Health and Well-Being.”
Rochelle’s presentation centred on the transformative capacities of Earth Observation (EO) satellite information in conjunction with Artificial Intelligence (AI) for applications in public health. With an emphasis on environmental health, Rochelle explained how this combination can help society by supporting epidemiologists, environmental health scientists, healthcare professionals, and organisations in the healthcare sector.
Additionally, Rochelle’s participation not only highlighted the current benefits but also encouraged beginners in the field of Earth Observation to explore health applications. At the same time, it inspired health scientists and practitioners to think beyond their usual approaches, promoting progress in public health through Earth Observation technologies. Additionally, the conference served as a forum for in-depth discussions on institutional arrangements and mechanisms that establish connections between health and space authorities, thereby promoting collaboration among diverse stakeholders, cultivating networking opportunities through the Space and Global Health Network.
In summary, the November 2023 UN-WHO Space and Global Health conference showcased the synergy of AI and Earth Observation for global health. Rochelle Schneider’s presentation underscored its potential, aligning with GDA’s forthcoming AID Health initiative and advancing SDG 3.
