Welcome to the
WCE2024 Conference

It was our pleasure to host the World Congress of Epidemiology from September 24-27, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. We returned to an in-person format for this edition of the triennial congress of the International Epidemiological Association (IEA). It was wonderful to have the global epidemiology community together again!

WCE is well-known for bringing epidemiologists and public health experts working in different sectors together in an atmosphere designed to promote dialogue, the interchange of ideas, and state-of-the-art scientific research. The theme of WCE2024 was “Epidemiology and complexity: challenges and responses” which engaged the full depth and breadth of methods and practice in contemporary epidemiology. The meeting featured top-calibre invited speakers presenting plenary lectures, workshops and interactive sessions. The abstract-driven programme included oral and poster presentations including theory and application from every sub-discipline of epidemiology. With more than 1500 delegates, WCE2024 created a unique opportunity to share experiences and expertise – the opportunities to learn, grow and network within the field were phenomenal.

This was the first time the congress was hosted on the African continent and the Cape Town International Convention Centre provided a world-class venue for this meeting. And of course, Cape Town is a city of unrivalled natural beauty, rich in history and culture with incredible cuisine and wine.

We hope you to took a few days before or after the meeting to explore the proximal beauty of Table Mountain and the Peninsula, the Winelands, the Garden Route, and other nearby, remarkable destinations in South Africa and the region.

It was a privilege to host you in Cape Town!

Best wishes,


Landon Myer
Conference Chair: WCE2024
Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
School of Public Health, University of Cape Town

Important Dates

1|

All abstract submissions open:
1 October 2023

2|

Fast track submissions close:
1 December 2023

3|

Fast track dispositions:
8 January 2024

4|

General submissions close:
16 February 2024

5|

General dispositions:
 25 March 2024

6|

Early bird registration deadline:
26 April 2024

7|

Final abstract submissions close:
31 May 2024

8|

Final abstract dispositions:
24 June 2024

Sponsors and partners

We are aware of fake emails claiming to be from WCE2024 organisers. Only emails with soafrica.com and uct.ac.za domains are valid. Please verify sender addresses and report any suspicious emails to us. Your security is our priority.

Preventing, predicting, preparing for, and responding to epidemics and pandemics

Session type: Multi-speaker symposium
Session will be a reflection of the roles and responsibilities of epidemiologists during the course of the pandemic, as well as lessons learnt will be important for management of future pandemics.

Meet the editors

Session type: Panel discussion
Session will involve engagement of Editors of epidemiology journals on how they promote inclusive publishing on their platforms and how far have they gone to include the rest of the world in their publications.

Old risk factors in the new era: tobacco, alcohol and physical activity

Session type: Multi-speaker symposium
Session will delve into the evolving landscape of traditional risk factors amid contemporary health challenges. The aim is to explore how the dynamics of tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and physical activity have transformed in the modern era, considering technological, societal, and cultural shifts.

Shafalika Goenka
(Public Health Foundation of India, India)

Katherine Keyes
(Columbia University, USA)

Lekan Ayo Yusuf
(University of Pretoria, SA)

Is it risky for epidemiologists to be advocates?

Session type: Debate
In the current climate, epidemiologists risk becoming non-neutral actors hampering their ability to do science as well as making them considered to be less reliable to the public.

Kalpana Balakrishnan
(Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, India)

Neal Pearce
(London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK)

The role of epidemiology in building responses to violence

Session type: Multi-speaker symposium
Violence has been given insufficient attention and priority in the arena of public health policy, partnerships and interventions. Session will explore what role can and will epidemiology play in improving responses to violence?

Zinzi Bailey
(University of Minnesota, USA)

Rodrigo Guerrero-Velasco
(Violence Research Center of Universidad del Valle, Columbia)

Rachel Jewkes
(South African Medical Research Council, SA)

Ethics and epidemiology: conflicts of interest in research and service

Session type: Panel discussion
This session aims to dissect the complexities surrounding conflicts of interest in both research and public health practice, emphasising the critical need for transparency, integrity, and ethical decision-making.

Racial and ethnic classifications in epidemiology: global perspectives

Session type: Multi-speaker symposium
Session will explore the continued predominance of certain types of studies which influence global practice despite the lack of racial, ethnic and geographic diversity is a major weakness in epidemiology.

Critical reflections on epidemiology and its future

Session type: Panel discussion
Session will explore where is epidemiology headed, particularly given what field has been through in recent times? Is the field still fit for purpose? With all the new emerging threats, important to establish whether field is ready.

Teaching epidemiology: global perspectives

Session type: Panel discussion
Understanding how epidemiology is taught in different parts of the world is essential. Session will unpack why is epidemiology taught differently? Is it historical? Implications of these differences?

Na He
(Fudan University, China)

Katherine Keyes
(Columbia University, USA)

Noah Kiwanuka
(Makerere University, Uganda)

Miquel Porta
(Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Spain)

Pharmacoepidemiology: new insights and continuing challenges

Session type: Multi-speaker symposium
This session aims to explore recent advancements in studying the utilization and effects of medications on populations, addressing methodological innovations, and novel data sources.

Are traditional cohorts outdated?

Session type: Panel discussion
Session will explore the landscape of traditional cohort studies, touching on their continued relevance in the contemporary research landscape. What are the limitations of traditional cohorts, challenges in data collection, evolving research questions, and potential advancements in study designs.

Karen Canfell
(The Daffodil Centre, Cancer Council NSW/University of Sydney, Australia)

Mauricio Lima Barreto
(Center of Data and Knowledge Integration for Health, Brazil)

Naja Hulvej Rod
(University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

Yuan Lin
(Nanjing Medical University, China)

Have DAGs fulfilled their promise?

Session type: Debate
Critical reflection on why despite their importance in the Methods community, DAGs are not widely included in publications. Session will provide perspective on their utility in future research

Peter Tennant
(University of Leeds, UK)

Margarita Moreno-Betancur
(University of Melbourne, Australia)

Loading...