The Neglected Dimension of Global Security : A Framework to Counter Infectious Disease Crises

Since the 2014 Ebola outbreak many public- and private-sector leaders have seen a need for improved management of global public health emergencies. The effects of the Ebola epidemic go well beyond the three hardest-hit countries and beyond the health sector. Education, child protection, commerce, transportation, and human rights have all suffered. The consequences and lethality of Ebola have increased interest in coordinated global response to infectious threats, many of which could disrupt global health and commerce far more than the recent outbreak. In order to explore the potential for improving international management and response to outbreaks the National Academy of Medicine agreed to manage an international, independent, evidence-based, authoritative, multistakeholder expert commission. As part of this effort, the Institute of Medicine convened four workshops in summer of 2015. This commission report considers the evidence supplied by these workshops and offers conclusions and actionable recommendations to guide policy makers, international funders, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 The Case for Investing in Pandemic Preparedness3 Strengthening Public Health as the Foundation of the Health System and First Line of Defense4 Strengthening the Global and Regional System for Outbreak Preparedness, Alert, and Response5 Accelerating Research and Development to Counter the Threat of Infectious Diseases6 Building a Framework for Global Health SecurityAppendix A: Public Session AgendaAppendix B: Workshop AgendasAppendix C: Modeling the Economic Threat of Pandemics, by Anas El Turabi and Philip SaynischAppendix D: Biographical Sketches of Commission Members, Consultants, and Staff