Global Health - Related

Polio in Nigeria

jdunton — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Since 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)—an international partnership of government and private institutions—has reduced the number of reported polio cases worldwide by more than 99 percent, successfully eliminating polio from much of the globe. Yet Nigeria remains one of the most entrenched reservoirs of poliovirus in the world.

PacNet #8 - A Moment for Action for the Life Sciences

ellise — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

An important research finding in the life sciences has galvanized and divided the international scientific and security communities.

Egypt and U.S. Health Assistance

jdunton — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Few countries have been as successful as Egypt in parlaying its strategic position into an economic asset. At the nexus of two continents, astride the Suez Canal, and with one-quarter of the Arab world’s entire population, Egypt has made itself an object of interest, and often an object of concern, among the world’s great powers for more than a half-century.

The Private-Sector Role in Public Health

jdunton — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

In recent decades, there has been a decided evolution in perspectives on the roles and responsibilities of business in society. The classic position was Milton Friedman’s 1970 pronouncement that the only responsibility a business has is to return a profit to its shareholders.

Global Hunger and Food Price Volatility in 2012

ecurran — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Early in 2011, food price riots helped trigger one of the most unexpected and significant events of the past decade: the Arab Spring, which saw the downfall of governments in the Middle East, the death of a long-time dictator in Libya, and ongoing strife in Syria and Yemen.

Protection of Health Care in Armed and Civil Conflict

jdunton — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

During recent uprisings in Bahrain, Syria, and Libya, security forces obstructed access to health facilities; harassed, arrested, and prosecuted medical personnel; and even assaulted patients within hospitals.

Polio Eradication in India

jdunton — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

India’s struggle against major health challenges in the past few decades has been a white-knuckle ride, with India illustrating some of the best, as well as the worst, of the health problems of the developing world.

Strategic Partnerships to Build African Scientific Capacity for Agriculture

kate — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The world faces an enormous challenge over the next 50 years, to double the amount of food produced globally, but without further depleting the soil, water, and other natural resources. This challenge will require a great deal of ingenuity and effort, and will rely on the capacity of the scientific community to develop new and improved crop varieties, to combat pests and diseases.

Critical Questions for 2012

ian — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

From international security and regional study to global challenges, CSIS experts will address many of the world's most difficult policy concerns and critical questions in 2012. To kick off the new year, we asked 25 of our scholars to identity what worries them most and what are the biggest opportunities in their respective areas of study.

Somalia Remains the Worst Humanitarian Crisis in the World

sherry — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The drought and famine in the Horn of Africa continues, with the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS Net) recently confirming that the famine in the Middle Shabelle, as well as among internally displaced populations in Afgoye and the Somali capital of Mogadishu, will continue through the end of the year.

Terra Nova

jdunton — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Seven years ago, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) made its first investments in South Africa, the heart of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. These historic investments quickly grew to become the largest single bilateral health account in the world. The resulting story of U.S.

The Future of Global Immunization

jdunton — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

In January 2010 at the World Economic Forum, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation launched the Decade of Vaccines by pledging $10 billion over the next 10 years to support worldwide efforts to develop and deliver vaccines to the world’s poorest countries.

Role(s) of Vaccines and Immunization Programs in Global Disease Control

jdunton — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Much of the substantial progress seen in global health over the past several decades can be ascribed to the beneficial impacts of various vaccines and immunization programs on the control of serious disease among both individuals and populations.

Japan Chair Platform: Reflections on Health Reconstruction in Japan after 3-11

ecurran — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

On November 3, 2011, CSIS released a report, Partnership for Recovery and a Stronger Future: Standing with Japan after 3-11, summarizing the findings of a task force established to examine ways the United States can partner with Japan in the process of recovery from the tragedies of March 11, 2011 (http://csis.

Implementing Health Care Reform Policies in China

jdunton — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

China’s health system has spanned the antipodes of potential health system models, ranging from a pure government delivery model to one radically driven by profit incentives, and now China is seeking a hybrid to suit its hybrid economy.

The Global Health Initiative in Malawi

jdunton — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Obama administration designated Malawi as a GHI Plus country in June 2010, one of the first eight countries selected to implement the Global Health Initiative’s (GHI) more comprehensive approach to global health and serve as learning labs for other GHI country programs.

China's Emerging Global Health and Foreign Aid Engagement in Africa

jdunton — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

This volume is a compilation of papers that were written for the Conference on China’s Emerging Global Health and Foreign Aid Engagement, sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), in Beijing on May 24, 2011, as part of a larger CSIS initiative to examine the global health engagement of the BRIC countries

Scaling up Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV

jdunton — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) is an essential tool in the fight against HIV.

The Focus on the Horn of Africa Should be on the Famine in Somalia

sherry — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Once again famine rages in Somalia. Experts say at least 30,000 children have already died in this crisis and 750,000 more Somalis, mostly women and children, are in acute need and will begin to die between Thanksgiving and Christmas unless they receive assistance. The famine in the early 1990s killed more than 250,000 Somalis, and this one is projected to kill several times more.

Partnership for Recovery and a Stronger Future

jdunton — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

When a magnitude 9.0 earthquake shook the earth beneath the Western Pacific on March 11, 2011, it unleashed a massive nine-meter tsunami toward the coast of the Tohoku region of Japan’s main island of Honshu.

How Can Japan's DPC Inpatient Hospital Payment System Be Strengthened?

jdunton — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

This report by Dr. Gerard Anderson and Dr. Naoki Ikegami analyzes how Japan can strengthen its Diagnostic Procedure Combination (DPC) inpatient hospital payment system. Given the one-year time constraint in the design of Japan’s DPC system, a variety of compromises were made in order to satisfy the involved parties.

Improving Women's Health in South Africa

jdunton — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

A period of major change is unfolding in health and HIV services in South Africa, carrying opportunities and risks for delivering effective, integrated health services that improve health outcomes and save lives. South Africa is decentralizing HIV services to the primary health care level, paving the way for greater integration to address women’s health and to reduce maternal mortality.

Biofortification: A Partial Solution to Global Malnutrition

sherry — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

In September, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported that food prices are 26 percent higher than a year ago and that the prices for staple grains, the main foods for the world’s poor, are 36 percent higher than 12 months ago.

Using Earth Observation Data to Improve Health in the United States

jdunton — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Earth observations enable us to monitor and predict key environmental phenomena and events that can affect our health. Earth observation data can be incorporated into models to help detect, monitor, or predict disease, providing policymakers with the opportunity to control an epidemic, respond more quickly to disease outbreaks, and act to prevent or mitigate the occurrence of disease.

NCDs trigger a different model of response

ian — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The September 19-20 High-Level Meeting at the UN General Assembly was a high-profile, somewhat risky and ultimately sobering test of the proposition that non-communicable disorders (NCDs) could become a new global health priority.

The United States and South Africa Have no Choice but to Re-Order their HIV/AIDS Relationship. But How can it be Done?

ecurran — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The story of US engagement in South Africa to battle HIV/AIDS over the past decade is one of strategic choice, sustained commitment, and significant human impact, matched by recent strong action by the South African government to assert its leadership in reversing the course of its AIDS epidemic.

Still Adrift: Will Haiti Find its Anchor?

ecurran — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

After 100 days in office, the government of President Michel Martelly should be better organized to accomplish key tasks.

Addressing Japan's Healthcare Challenges with Information Technology

jdunton — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Japan is facing the long-term policy challenge of an aging society, which requires increasing amounts of healthcare, both high acuity care and long-term chronic care.

Making Progress on Global Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Challenges

jdunton — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

This report presents conclusions and recommendations offered at a World Water Day Learning Forum, “Making Progress on Global Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Challenges,” held at CSIS on March 21, 2011.

Meeting the Challenge of Drought and Famine in the Horn of Africa

ecurran — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The scale of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Horn of Africa is becoming clearer by the day. The numbers of people affected by drought and famine are mind-boggling: at least 12.4 million people are in need of emergency assistance across five countries.

Capacity and Resolve

jdunton — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The last decade has seen the United States involved in two wars, an ongoing worldwide struggle against terrorism, and more recently a severe economic recession. This period has exposed two great structural challenges facing the United States. First, in a globalized world, vectors of prosperity quickly become vectors of insecurity. And second, the center of gravity in world affairs is shifting to Asia.

The Defense Department’s Enduring Contributions to Global Health

ian — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

In the spring of 2010, CSIS launched a year-long, independent examination of the U.S. Army and Navy overseas medical research laboratories. The impetus was an awareness that despite the laboratories’ impressive scientific accomplishments and contributions to U.S.

Instability and Global Food Supplies

ian — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

World food prices are at an all-time high. The world’s population is growing and is expected to increase by 2 billion people over the next 40 years. Riots in Tunisia, triggered in part by food prices, set off a remarkable chain of events that resulted in the downfall of governments in Egypt and Tunisia, a NATO operation in Libya, and instability in several other countries.

GAVI's Future

jdunton — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Next week, the GAVI Alliance will ask donors to commit $3.7 billion to immunize an additional 250 million children by 2015. Now, as GAVI prepares for its next decade of progress under new leadership, is an opportune moment to examine critical challenges and how they can be addressed to ensure continued success.

Bridging Knowledge Gaps in Water Management

jdunton — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

On October 27, 2010, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the federal Subcommittee on Water Availability and Quality (SWAQ) cohosted a participatory workshop on domestic and international water issues entitled “Bridging Knowledge Gaps in Water Management.” The event convened federal agency experts and influential thinkers from academia, nonprofit organizatio

Health Diplomacy of Foreign Governments

jdunton — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

In the fall of 2010, the CSIS Global Health Policy Center hosted three seminars featuring experts on regional politics, global health policy, and diplomacy to facilitate discussion, information exchange, and analysis regarding the linkages between health and foreign policy in key countries.

Leveraging the World Health Organization’s Core Strengths

jdunton — Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The World Health Organization (WHO) was formed in 1948 to act globally as the “directing and coordinating authority on public health” to promote the “attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.” Under this broad mandate, WHO has contributed to historic public health advancements, such as the eradication of smallpox, achieved in 1979, and galvanizin

HIV Prevention among Injection Drug Users in Kenya and Tanzania

jdunton — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

While overall growth in numbers of new HIV infections has slowed in most regions of the world, infections linked to injection drug use (IDU) continue to grow. This trend has been most pronounced in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; however, new infections related to injection drug use also appear to be growing in East Africa.

Responding to Crisis in Japan

ian — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The heartbreaking tragedy that has befallen Japan will not keep that resilient and strong nation down for long. However, the three-headed monster of a massive earthquake, life-sucking tsunami, and nuclear uncertainty has hit our stoic allies hard.

Japanese Nuclear Crisis

sherry — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Q1: How bad is the damage to Japan’s nuclear power plants from the earthquake?

On the Ground with the Global Health Initiative

jdunton — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

In December 2010, the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) organized a trip to Kenya to examine progress in implementing the U.S. government’s Global Health Initiative (GHI). This trip followed an earlier mission to Kenya in August 2009 that had helped inform the recommendations of the CSIS Commission on Smart Global Health Policy.

Lessons from Kenya for the Global Health Initiative

jdunton — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Obama administration’s Global Health Initiative (GHI), announced in May 2009 as a six-year, $63-billion program, has put a strong emphasis on integration of health services, building largely on the work of PEPFAR.

Scarcity and Strategy in the GCC

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

One of the Gulf Arab region's most pressing challenges over the next several decades relates not to national defense or conventional warfare, but to water. Policymakers traditionally think of the GCC in terms of defense sales and security umbrellas, and international conflict in the region remains a possibility. However, water scarcity and the domestic strains it will create ar

Getting the Politics Right for the September 2011 UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases

jdunton — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The UN General Assembly’s decision to convene a “high-level meeting on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide” in September 2011 creates a major, timely opportunity to elevate chronic diseases onto the global stage.

Assessing Impact across Policy Domains

mentman — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

On December 2, 2010, the Center for Strategic and International Studies hosted a workshop attended by approximately forty experts in impact assessment and performance measurement. By intention this group represented a diverse range of policy focus—from defense and security issues to international development, intelligence, education, and health care.

Global Food Security in the QDDR

mentman — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S.

Reflections on Secretary Clinton's Launch of the QDDR

mentman — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

We both attended Secretary Clinton’s presentation of the QDDR at the State Department on Wednesday morning, December 15, where she was joined on the dais by Policy Planning Director Ann-Marie Slaughter, USAID Administrator Raj Shah, Deputy USAID Administrator Donald Steinberg, and Under Secretary for Management Patrick Kennedy. The event left several strong impressions.

Water Issues in the QDDR

mentman — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

With more than 80 percent of the global burden of disease related to water, sanitation, and hygiene, and with water scarcity projected to affect 1.8 billion people by 2025, many in the water community have been wondering what the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review will reveal regarding plans for diplomatic engagement and development assistance on global water challenges.

Health Reconstruction in North Korea

nanderson — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

“… North Korea is not an undeveloped country; it is a country that has fallen out of the developed world... “ Barbara Demick, Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, NY: Spiegel and Grau, 2009, pp. 4.

Clear Gold

jdunton — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The real wild card for political and social unrest in the Middle East over the next 20 years is not war, terrorism, or revolution—it is water. Conventional security threats dominate public debate and government thinking, but water is the true game-changer in Middle Eastern politics.