Geneva Health Forum Awards 2024
On the occasion of its conference, the Geneva Health Forum (GHF) presents several awards to recognize outstanding individuals and research teams for their contributions to global health.
The AXA "Jet d'Or" award
The AXA Grand Golden Jet Award honors a research team committed to addressing the health impacts of pollution.
This prestigious award is supported by the AXA Research Fund and is endowed with CHF 50,000.
In this context, the GHF launched a call for projects entitled:
“Health and Medical Solutions to Combat the Harmful Effects of Pollution on Humans”
51 research teams submitted an application.
A scientific committee of six experts selected seven finalist projects.
The GHF Programme Committee selected the final laureate from among these finalists.
The award was presented during the official evening ceremony by by Nils Reich, CEO of AXA Health and Julia d’Astorg, Director of the AXA Research Fund and Antoine Flahault, President of the GHF.
2024 Awardee:
“Exposure Sciences, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Université de Lausanne.”
The Swiss-based team was recognized for their groundbreaking work
“Assessing the Emerging Risk of PFAS Exposure from Waste Management.”
Award for Science Speed Talks
The “Jet d’Or”Award for Science Speed Talks recognizes the most compelling and impactful short scientific presentation.
This award is supported by the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+) and is endowed with CHF 1,000.
The Science Speed Talks give student poster presenters the opportunity to showcase their research in a 3-minute presentation, requiring clarity, conciseness, and effective science communication.
- 19 students submitted a presentation video.
- A jury of four experts selected four finalists, who benefited from individual coaching sessions to strengthen their public speaking skills.
The finalists presented their research during the GHF closing ceremony,
Finalists:
- Gadhave Priyanka, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India
Navigating Welfare: A Study on the Implications of Temporary Migration on Nutrition Services in India - Apuamah Benedicta, Management Center Innsbruck, Austria
Acceptability of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among Refugee Women in Tyrol, Austria - Voruz Philippe, University of Geneva, Switzerland
The Economic Burden of the Post-COVID-19 Condition: Underestimated Long-Term Consequences of Neuropsychological Deficits - Yebouet Ahou Cinthia, INED / Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire
Artificial Lakes in Yamoussoukro and Surrounding Lettuce Crops as High-Risk Sources of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria
Winner of the Golden Jet Award for Science Speed Talks: Apuamah Benedicta
Awards for Best Poster
The “Jet d’Or” Awards for Best Poster celebrate scientific excellence and the quality of visual scientific communication through two distinctions.
These awards are supported by the Private Foundation of the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and are each endowed with CHF 1,000.
Out of the 192 posters presented at the GHF, a committee of 15 experts preselected 12 posters, which were then submitted to a public vote during the conference.
Two awards were granted:
- Golden Jet Award for Best Poster, awarded to the poster receiving the highest number of votes from the public.
- Golden Jet “Audience Favorite” Award, granted by the HUG Private Foundation to one of the preselected posters.
2024 Awardees:
- Golden Jet Award for Best Poster
Innovative Community-Based Teaching Methods: One Health Water Africa (OHWA) Field School 2022 and 2023 Editions
E. Stephanie Mvodo, University of Buea, Cameroon - Golden Jet “Audience Favorite” Award
Hospitals’ Sustainability Maturity Revealed by the Sustainability Accelerator Tool (SAT)
Carmen Menéndez, IHF Geneva Sustainability Centre, Switzerland
View the nominated posters
Anne Maurer-Cecchini Foundation Award
As with each edition, the GHF also hosted the presentation of the Anne Maurer-Cecchini Foundation Award, created in memory of Anne Maurer-Cecchini, who dedicated her career to research on neglected tropical diseases affecting the world’s most vulnerable populations.
For this 8th edition, 15 scientific studies were reviewed. The award was granted to a major study on leprosy conducted in the Comoros and Madagascar:
Authors of the study: E. Hasker, Y. Assoumani, A. Randrianantoandro et al. Institute of Tropical Medicine (Antwerp), National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programs – Comoros and Madagascar
Awarded study:
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in Leprosy (PEOPLE): A Cluster Randomised Trial
This research demonstrates the effectiveness of distributing single-dose rifampicin to individuals exposed to leprosy. The greatest preventive impact—both at the individual and community levels—was observed when all residents living within a 100-meter radius of index cases received the treatment.
The study followed 19,436 individuals across 64 villages in the Comoros and Madagascar.
The award was presented during the Geneva Health Forum closing ceremony on 29 May 2024 by Guy Maurer-Cecchini and François Chappuis (HUG).
