Glossary

Innovation is a creative idea and implementation, which is different from invention. It is

the act of conceiving and implementing a new way of achieving a result and/or

performing work. An innovation may involve the incorporation of new elements, a new

combination of existing elements or a significant change or a departure from traditional

ways of doing things.(1)

(1) United Nations Economic and Social Council, Definition of basic concepts and

terminologies in governance and public administration, UNESC Report, E/C.16/2006/4

nformation asymmetry represents the discrepancy between the information provided

by different sources. Due to uncertainty, ignorance and misinformation many false and

malicious information are associated with the use of drugs or vaccines, reducing the

trust of the patients in their efficacity and the compliance at the treatment. The

difference in provided information comes from media and GP’s, or even from problems

in the field of cooperation between health professionals.(1)

(1) TELL ME Project

An influenza pandemic (or global epidemic) occurs when a new influenza virus

emerges and spreads around the world, and most people do not have immunity.

This definition is controversial. Central to this debate has been the question of whether

H1N1 influenza should have been labelled a “pandemic” at all. The Council of Europe

voiced serious concerns that the declaration of a pandemic became possible only after

WHO changed its definition of pandemic influenza. The formal definitions of pandemics

Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria,

viruses, parasites or fungi;. (1) Some — but not all — infectious diseases spread

directly from one person to another. Infectious diseases that spread from person to

person are said to be contagious/communicable (2)

(1) WHO: Infectious diseases

(2) kidshealth.org:infectious disease