In conversation with Dr Peter Piot and Dr Heidi J Larson
On 10th May 2025, the Centre for Public Health had the privilege of hosting Prof. Peter Piot and Prof. Heidi J. Larson, two globally respected leaders in public health.
Prof. Peter Piot, a renowned microbiologist and global health expert, is the founding Executive Director of UNAIDS and former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. He co-discovered the Ebola virus in 1976 and has led pioneering research in HIV, women’s health, and infectious diseases. He also served as Professor of Global Health and Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Prof. Heidi J. Larson is an anthropologist and Director of the Vaccine Confidence Project, known for her groundbreaking work in understanding public trust in immunization. She serves as Professor of Anthropology, Risk and Decision Science at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Clinical Professor at the Institute of Health Metrics & Evaluation (University of Washington), and is a Fellow at Chatham House Centre on Global Health Security.
Dr Peter Piot shared a powerful account of his early career, recalling the discovery of the Ebola virus in 1976 when laboratory work was done with basic tools, minimal biosafety infrastructure, and deep scientific curiosity. His reflections illustrated how far the global health community has come in terms of technology and preparedness—and how much remains to be done in building systems that are agile, equitable, and responsive
Dr. Piot emphasized that health disparities exist everywhere and addressing them must be a global priority. Importantly, he noted that solutions should not be expected to come solely from high-income countries; rather, innovative, sustainable models must emerge from within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the challenges are lived and understood most deeply.
Dr Heidi Larson stressed that awareness and access are complex issues, shaped by social, economic, and psychological factors. Reaching people effectively requires adapting to how they receive and process information—whether through mobile technology or community-based engagement—and addressing the human tendency to act only when conditions become severe.