recommendations for congress - global health council...notify, and respond to such threats.1 the...
TRANSCRIPT
Global Health Security
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Global health security means having strong public health and emergency response systems in place around the world to stop the spread of infectious diseases across borders and to detect, prevent, and respond to biological threats – from emerging infectious
diseases, man-made pathogens, and biological weapons to other pandemics and preventable diseases.
In an increasingly interconnected world, where diseases know no borders, global health security efforts are vital to protecting both health around the world and the health of American citizens.
Global health security starts at home – making sure the United States has the tools to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases and biological threats. However, it is critical that efforts also address building systems and capacity in low- and middle-income
countries with weak health infrastructures that prevent them from adequately responding to disease outbreaks. Strong health systems
are critical to ensuring that countries have the capacity to respond to disease outbreaks and prevent them from becoming global
epidemics.
Individual country governments cannot do this alone, and it will require a collaborative, cohesive, and comprehensive response
across sectors, including governments, the private sector, multilateral organizations, academia, and civil society. Global health security is at
the intersection of multiple sectors and provides a unique opportunity for international cooperation.
The International Health Regulations (IHR), developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), were adopted in 2007 to provide a framework for the coordination and management of public health emergencies and build capacity of countries to detect, assess,
notify, and respond to such threats.1 The Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) was launched in 2014 with the leadership of the U.S. and
partners to help countries meet the obligations of the IHR.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONGRESS
Support global health programming
that strengthens health systems in
low- and middle-income countries.
Strong health systems with the necessary
resources and personnel are vital for
prevention, detection, and response. This
should include funding and adequate
support for infrastructure projects,
workforce development, and technical
assistance to effectively deliver the
necessary products to those in need.
Continue to support the GHSA to ensure
that countries can meet the goals of
the IHR. This should include robust
funding for GHSA and the agencies that
play a role in advancing global health
security, including the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; U.S. Agency for
International Development; and the
Departments of State, Agriculture, Health
and Human Services, and Defense.
Ensure that research and development
for new vaccines, drugs, diagnostics,
and other health tools are prioritized
in global health security and pandemic
and emergency response strategies.
Emerging infectious disease is a
perpetual challenge, and we will not
have the tools we need to respond to the
next epidemic without forward-thinking,
sustainable investments in global health
research and development.
Encourage cooperation and coordination among the various actors that have a role to play in global health security: this includes
GHSA partner countries, the public and private sectors, civil society, and academia. Since human health is inextricably linked with
animal and environmental health, it is also important to encourage coordination and cooperation with physicians, veterinarians, and
other scientific and environmental professionals. This is an opportunity to advance shared goals around public health, international
development, national security, and diplomacy.
The Collective Voice of the Global Health Community
Integrated Health Project in the DRC Credit: Warren Zelman
Integrated Health Project in the DRC Credit: Warren Zelman
Integrated Health Project in the DRC Credit: Warren Zelman
Citations1. “Alert, response, and capacity building under the International Health Regulations (IHR): About IHR.” http://bit.ly/2hXvecr.
2. “Health Protection.” http://bit.ly/2hgNDgy.
3. “The Global Health Security Agenda.” http://bit.ly/2gQpgVU.
Infectious disease outbreaks and other emerging global health
threats are occurring with increasing frequency and severity.
Factors including globalization, urbanization, climate change,
and the ease of travel and trade mean that dangerous pathogens
are more easily transported and spread across the world, with no
respect for national boundaries. As seen with recent outbreaks
of Ebola and Zika, infectious diseases that traditionally only
impacted other regions are having direct consequences for
American health.
Strong health systems in both high-income and low- and
middle-income countries are vital to detecting, preventing, and
responding to natural and man-made biological threats that
can jeopardize global and American health. In turn, as global
health threats affect not only health systems but also economies,
strong health systems can also support economic growth – and
ensure that progress in global health and economic development
through U.S. foreign aid investments are not reversed.
The GHSA, a global initiative of 55 countries, is a first step in
mobilizing the international community behind a common set
of global health security principles, and it provides a roadmap to
strengthen countries’ capacity to prevent, detect, and respond
to health threats.2 Member countries have identified 11 Action
Packages, meant to translate political support into action around
health security. Partner countries are leading the Action Packages
that are focused on antimicrobial resistance; zoonotic diseases;
biosafety and biosecurity; immunizations; national laboratory
systems; real-time surveillance; reporting; workforce development;
emergency operations centers; links between public health, law
and multi-sectoral rapid response; and medical countermeasures
and personnel deployment. Countries may volunteer to undergo
a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) to assess their capacity under
the IHR for health security. The JEE allows countries to identify
and prioritize their greatest areas of need and to engage with
potential partners for support.3 The GHSA demonstrates an
international commitment to global health security and a
mechanism through which U.S. investments in global health
security can be leveraged to support investment and action from
partner countries.
Public investments in global health security and the GHSA also
leverage support and action from the private sector. Private
sector companies have made explicit efforts to support countries
in strengthening their health security, and they have a unique
value in their efficiency and ability to mobilize resources, scale
up efforts, and innovate solutions. For example, the GHSA Private
Sector Roundtable (PSRT) aims to be the touchpoint for industry
stakeholders interested in supporting countries in reaching
the goals of the GHSA. It works to align companies’ business
objectives, existing resources, expertise, and capabilities with
public health needs around health security.
Future outbreaks and new strains of disease will always be on
the horizon, and threats such as antimicrobial resistance are
on the rise. In addition, weak health systems can also open the
door for increased risk of unintentional (or intentional) misuse
of dangerous pathogens and biological materials. Strong
health systems with robust detection, response, and prevention
capabilities – including sustained research and development
for new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics – are critical both to
preventing and mitigating health crises and to fulfilling routine
health care functions to promote healthy, prosperous societies.
Resources Global Health Security Agenda http://bit.ly/2hyubPl
International Health Regulations http://bit.ly/2hK7ztb
ContributorsKatie Zabronsky, Rabin Martin, [email protected]
Courtney Carson, Global Health Technologies Coalition, [email protected]
Ashley Arabasadi, No More Epidemics, Management Sciences for Health, [email protected]
Danielle Heiberg, Global Health Council, [email protected]
WHY THIS INVESTMENT IS IMPORTANT