At a Kaiser Family Foundation forum last week, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released the Department of Health and Human Services' first Global Health Strategy. "In a world where the flow of people and goods stretch across the globe, our only chance to keep Americans safe is if the system for preventing, detecting and containing disease [also] stretches across the globe," Secretary Sebelius said. "We can no longer separate America's health from global health."
This blueprint outlines HHS' role and how it can achieve its global health vision--a healthier and safer world--and in turn, protect and improve the health of Americans. The strategy names three goals:
1. Using global health activities to advance and protect Americans' health;
2. Sharing America's scientific and technical expertise with other nations and international organizations; and
3. Working with other government agencies and non-governmental organizations to improve diplomacy efforts, national security and international development.
Ten objectives are listed that support these goals:
- Strengthen global efforts to monitor, identify and control diseases
- Prevent the spread of infectious diseases and other health threats across borders
- Develop and implement responses to international outbreaks and emergencies
- Improve the safety of international food and medical device manufacturing
- Strengthen international health standards
- Spur international research and development of new health products
- Share best practices
- Address new patterns of death and illness
- Support President Obama's Global Health Initiative
- Improve health diplomacy