New Global Strategy to Promote Innovation, Cooperation, and Equity
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Global Affairs (OGA), launched a new Global Strategy that expands the Department’s focus, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, from not only responding to disease and outbreaks but increased emphasis on improving foundational support and proactively making communities healthier. Through international collaborations and initiatives, HHS can leverage U.S. scientific and technological expertise alongside key learnings from our global partners to improve health outcomes for a more-well society.
“The United States continues to develop and pursue strategies to achieve universal health coverage, improve access to medical supplies during health emergencies, expand digital health, and mitigate the impact of climate change on our health. We have pursued aggressive global health diplomacy to help ensure health systems around the world are ready to meet future health challenges – and that work should continue,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Under the leadership of President Biden, the United States has made long-term commitments to strengthen health infrastructure here and around the world. This strategy highlights the importance of that work and our ongoing commitment to global health.”
“HHS is committed to embedding equity as a foundational component of health and supporting communities in the U.S. and abroad that have been historically underserved,” said Assistant Secretary of Global Affairs Loyce Pace. “We cannot have a healthy country without a healthy world, and a healthy world requires advancing health for everyone.”
This strategy is comprised of three main goals:
- Advancing United States interests and leadership in health, human services, and security through international policy;
- Leveraging technical expertise in science, technology, and practice through partnership to improve global health, well-being, and health access; and
- Protecting and promoting the health and well-being of all Americans through international preparedness and response.
The foundation for these three goals is HHS’ commitment towards advancing health equity. HHS will advance equity through our work in advocating for and supporting policies that support the human rights of all people including the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and LGBTQI+ people. HHS will also continue to advocate for universal health coverage around the world through our bilateral and multilateral engagement.
HHS’s expertise in biomedical and implementation science research, digital health, outbreak response, non-communicable diseases, regulatory standards, workforce development, program management, and policy continue to advance global health and well-being and help partners develop, implement, and use policies and practices proven to work. HHS’s mission requires global action to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of Americans. It is critical to strengthen public health, reinforce human services, and improve disease outcomes for people in the United States, as well as around the world.
This strategy lays the groundwork for HHS to continue to be a leader in global health, protect the American people, and increase access and equity in health for all.
