Global Health and the Role of the United States

The U.S. government has been a leader in global health efforts for decades, shaping the international policy agenda by establishing initiatives such as PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria and working with partner countries, industry, foundations, and nongovernmental organizations. However, current and emerging global health threats and challenges – such as pandemics, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and growing antimicrobial resistance – could have considerable human and economic costs. A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends 14 priority actions that could have the most immediate and substantial effect, despite the limited resources available, to achieve global health security, maintain the U.S. as the world health leader, and safeguard billions of dollars in health investments.