White House releases new global health security strategy

The Biden administration yesterday unveiled a new Global Health Security Strategy, which spells out the steps the United States will take over the next 5 years to prevent, detect, and effectively respond to biological threats.

In a statement, President Joe Biden said Americans have witnessed the profound impact of the COVID pandemic and how the global challenge had local consequences. “No sector of society was immune. That’s why—as my Administration worked to end the COVID-19 pandemic—we’ve also focused on ensuring our nation is prepared for any future pandemic, outbreak, or biological threat.”

Building on COVID lessons

In a fact sheet, the White House said the strategy builds on lessons learned during the pandemic and describes steps to meet goals outlined in the 2022 national biodefense strategy and 2022 pandemic prevention legislation that was passed as part of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.

Three overarching goals include strengthening global health security capacities through bilateral partnerships, mobilizing political commitment, financing and leadership to achieve health security, and leveraging health security linkages between health security and complementary programs.

Details of the strategy are covered in a 64-page document. The White House notes targets for 2024, which include achieving and sustaining health capacity goals in 50 more countries and strengthening country ownership and resource mobilization. The White House also signaled that it would incorporate equity and social inclusion factors to protect all people from infectious disease threats.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/pandemic-influenza/white-house-releases-new-global-health-security-strategy