Aligned with APEC Health Working Group's commitment to “enhancing the preparedness and response to public health emergencies and disasters, including prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases,” the literature review and gap analysis was conducted with the aim of improving APEC members’ knowledge of the key economic impacts of emerging infectious disease threats in the region and preparedness gaps with the goal of increasing the evidence base to support the efficacy of policy responses in the Asia-Pacific region. The study contains several practical recommendations that can be undertaken to improve pandemic preparedness and prevention in the APEC region.