Global health experts call for US leadership
The Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC) recently hosted its first annual Congressional briefing, which highlighted how the United States has long been a leader in research and development for global health diseases. Keynote speaker Dr. Nils Daulaire, director of the Office of Global Health Affairs at the US Department of Health and Human Services, highlighted the critical role that research and development play in reaching overall US global health goals.
Dr. Maria Freire, president of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation and the second keynote speaker, called for the United States to lead a worldwide movement to elevate global health research and development.
“We must deepen our funding of research for health and ensure that it remains not only a national priority but a global imperative. Millions of lives, our own and those of our neighbors, depend on it,” Dr. Freire said at the briefing. “As the leader in biomedical research, our country can spearhead a global movement for increased and sustainable funding for research that will transform the world.”
Panelists at the event included Dr. Christy Hanson, chief of the Infectious Disease Division at the US Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Global Health, and Sylvie Kwedi, president and founder of CLEAR, Inc. (Capacity for Leadership Excellence and Research).
About the GHTC
Housed at PATH and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Health Technologies Coalition includes more than 30 organizations advocating for research and development of tools to prevent, diagnose, and treat global diseases so health solutions are available when populations need them.
More information
- Global Health Technologies Coalition website
- Video (on YouTube) from the exposition, including a playlist, GHTC expo introduction, Dr. Nils Daulaire (part 1 and part 2), Dr. Maria Freire, Dr. Christy Hanson, and Sylvie Kwedi.
Posted May 17, 2010.