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, katie.zabronsky@rabinmartin.com

Courtney Carson, Global Health Technologies Coalition, ccarson@ghtcoalition.org

Ashley Arabasadi, No More Epidemics, Management Sciences for Health, aarbasadi@msh.org

Danielle Heiberg, Global Health Council, dheiberg@globalhealth.org

WHY THIS INVESTMENT IS IMPORTANT