PATH applauds US government’s release of Global Health Security Strategy
Media contact: Kate Davidson | PATH | media@path.org
Washington, D.C., May 14, 2019 — PATH applauds the US government for its release of the Global Health Security Strategy, the first comprehensive strategy for guiding the US government’s efforts in preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats. This strategy was a key recommendation in PATH’s report, Healthier World, Safer America: A US Government Roadmap for International Action to Prevent the Next Pandemic, released in October 2017. Since then, PATH has continued to advocate for prioritization of global health security issues, and has been pleased to see continued commitment from the US government, including protection of vital funding, introduction of the Global Health Security Act in the US Congress, and now the launch of this comprehensive plan by the White House.
PATH joined members of the Global Health Security Agenda Consortium in commending the US government for ensuring that this new Strategy emphasizes global health and health systems strengthening as a foundation for disease detection and response, establishes metrics for evaluating and improving performance, and commits to research and development to ensure that we have the tools we need to stop outbreaks. These elements are critical to strengthening global capacities to prevent, detect, and respond rapidly to disease outbreaks.
PATH President and CEO Steve Davis said, “We are pleased to see that the Strategy designates senior-level oversight to effectively achieve implementation, emphasizes close coordination with country partners, and identifies opportunities to catalyze multisectoral partnerships among the non-government, private, and social sectors to harness innovations and investments. We think these elements are critical to the success of the US government’s efforts. PATH looks forward to working closely with our US government partners to ensure the Strategy is carried forward effectively.”
While the Strategy commits to sustainable financing into the future, it does not include financing estimates and geographic priorities beyond fiscal year 2019. PATH therefore strongly recommends that the US government maintain its commitments through annual updates regarding implementation of the Strategy. We also support the designation of a long-term leader in the National Security Council to oversee interagency review and coordination among the many US agencies that contribute to global health security.
More about PATH’s work to support global health security
PATH partners with the US government to strengthen laboratory and disease surveillance systems in countries around the world to help detect, prevent, and respond to outbreaks. In particular, PATH has supported the Democratic Republic of the Congo in establishing an emergency operations center and deploying digital technology to help fight continuing outbreaks.
PATH President and CEO Steve Davis will speak today in Washington, D.C. at the 3rd Annual NPC Pandemic and Biosecurity Forum, presented by the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service. In addition to his leadership of PATH, Mr. Davis sits on the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security, which aims to chart a bold vision for the future of US leadership in global health security at home and abroad.
About PATH
PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide. Learn more at http://www.path.org/.