Webinar Explores Serious Games as a Tool for Public Health Education and Surveillance

On October 22, 2024, the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD/MIVEGEC) hosted a webinar focused on the innovative use of serious games in community-based surveillance and public health education. The event, was organized in collaboration with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (Cirad), ExposUM Institute of the University of Montpellier, and the Agence Régionale de Santé de La Réunion. It aimed at enhancing community engagement and technical capacity building.

The session brought together 30 participants from 13 countries within the MediLabSecure network, primarily from the entomology sector, to explore how serious games can improve risk assessment, early warning, and integrated surveillance of vector-borne diseases.

The webinar began with an introduction to the concept of serious games and their potential benefits for public health surveillance. The “Stop Aedes” game was then highlighted, showcasing its effectiveness in promoting community engagement and supporting vector control efforts. Representatives from ARS La Réunion shared their real-world experiences with “Stop Aedes,” offering insights into its practical application in fieldwork.

Following a Q&A session, the webinar introduced “GoTick,” a game designed to raise awareness and prevent tick-borne diseases. The final session delved into the impact and evaluation of serious games, featuring a detailed discussion on the statistical methods used to assess their effectiveness in health education and behavior change.

The event concluded with a final Q&A, providing participants with the opportunity to further engage with the panelists and exchange ideas.