There is not one word that captures Gabriel Leung, member of the ongoing joint WHO-China COVID-19 mission. He is an international epidemiologist instrumental in the SARS response, a former Under Secretary for Food and Health in Hong Kong, and current Dean of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong. Our host James Chau called Professor Leung in Hong Kong to discuss the scientific community’s evolving understanding of the epidemiology of the new virus, and the stigma and misinformation that attempts to undo the science.

During the AIDS epidemic, the world saw just how pivotal clear leadership and community involvement were in stopping global health crises. While there has been a heavy focus on the health of the economy in the news, we should also be focused on supporting the health of our people and health workers. Have we learned from the lessons of the past to best meet this new health crisis? James Chau, our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, offers his insights on The Heat.

Health systems around the world are struggling to meet the needs of a changing population - and in some countries that's further strained by war, pandemics, and other emergencies. Dr. Vanessa Kerry, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, and co-founder and CEO of Seed Global Health, is committed to addressing this critical issue. She has helped train thousands of nurses and midwives in some of the world's most fragile communities, and is helping to lead a global movement to realize that success everywhere. As a new outbreak grips the world, many health workers in Wuhan are infected and some of them dying. Dr. Kerry speaks to James Chau.