Global Health Security

Description

Global Health Security (GHS) programs work to strengthen global and partner country capacity to detect, prevent, respond to, and help stop emerging infectious disease outbreaks at their source before they become deadly and costly pandemics. As seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent outbreaks like Ebola and Zika, robust global health security programs are vital to building robust frontline capacities.

Use of Funds

GHS funding helps build sustained capacity in partner countries to detect and prevent outbreaks. This includes support for building and strengthening emergency operation centers, improving disease surveillance and laboratory capacities, and strengthening the development of local public health workforces. Funds also support the deployment of U.S. disease experts and aid workers to support training, skills-building, emergency response, and research and development for tools and technologies needed to prevent and respond to infectious diseases.

Justification

• “The last two decades have seen major global outbreaks of infectious diseases every four to five years” (SARS, H1N1, MERS, and COVID-19) in addition to the ongoing HIV/AIDS pandemic and Ebola threats.
• “Over 70% of epidemic-prone infectious disease threats originate from animals,” which is particularly concerning when many people live closer to animals.
• Zoonotic spillover of disease has also accelerated over the last three decades. This spillover accounts for about three-quarters of new and emerging infectious diseases.
• Investing in global health security is a cost-effective way to protect lives, safeguard livelihoods, and safeguard communities. According to the World Bank, “whether measured in human lives saved or economic disruption avoided, the return on investments in pandemic preparedness is extraordinarily high.”