New Report Making Waves in the Global Health Community
Eric Harris, Grassroots Communications Coordinator
October 30, 2009
A new report is out by a coalition of international health groups and advocacy organizations working across a spectrum of global health issues. The report, The Future of Global Health: Ingredients for a Bold and Effective U.S. Initiative, details how major accomplishments in global health over the last decade demonstrate that adequately resourced programs, focused on achieving specific results, can improve health outcomes for millions and support economic progress. It also highlights that distinct public health challenges are closely interconnected and that a comprehensive and integrated strategy is needed to ensure that ambitious health goals are met.
In addition to the report, a media teleconference (audio) was held yesterday morning with global experts and economists, including a presentation by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, special advisor to UN Secretary General on the Millennium Development Goals and director of the Earth Institute of Columbia University. Professor Sachs talked about the cost benefits to Americans associated with scaling up the U.S. response to the major health challenges that cause preventable deaths in the developing world. He was joined by Dr. Peter Mugyenyi, director, Uganda’s Joint Clinical Research Center, who explained the key elements of a comprehensive U.S. strategy to confront the leading causes of needless death in sub Saharan Africa. Rolake Odetoyinbo Nwagwu, director of the Positive Action for Treatment Access (Nigeria), highlighted the significance of simultaneous support for HIV and related health priorities, in particular reproductive and maternal, newborn and child health. Finally, the Honorable Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA), chair of the Congressional HIV Caucus, talked about the commitment within the U.S. Congress to expand and deepen U.S. leadership on global health.
The successful teleconference preceded Strategies for Global Health: Urgent Challenges, Comprehensive Solutions, a Capital Hill congressional briefing in cooperation with the Congressional Global Health Caucus and Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA), Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), and Congresswoman Diane Watson (D-CA). The briefing presented the report which marked the first effort in actually defining expectations for President Obama’s planned Global Health Initiative (GHI) and illustrated the policy and funding needs for a U.S. government response that will help lead the world to universal access to comprehensive healthcare in developing countries. Along with the members of Congress stated above, speakers also included Dr. Matthew C. Spitzer, president of Doctors Without Borders/MSF-USA, Ann Starrs, president of Family Care International, Serra Sippel, president of the Center for Health and Gender Equity, Dr. Patrick Almazor, Physician with Zanmi Lasante/Partners In Health, Haiti, and Olive Edwards, president of the Jamaican Network of Seropositives.
More information about the briefing will be posted soon.
Read More: Global Health, Weekly Update
