Health Diplomacy Is Critical to U.S. Foreign Policy

[Avnish Jolly]

Health Diplomacy Is Critical to U.S. Foreign Policy
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tommy-g-thompson/the-case-for-health-diplo_b_823382.html

Tommy G. ThompsonFormer Gov. of Wisconsin and Sec. of the Department
of Health and Human Service
February 15, 2011

Members of the 112th Congress began their work with no shortage of
urgent foreign policy issues. Among them are ongoing war, increased
tensions with Iran and North Korea, and escalating threats of
terrorism. As policymakers address these issues, I encourage them to
consider the vital role of health diplomacy in protecting and
advancing our country, its citizens and its economy.

Health diplomacy means winning the hearts and minds of those abroad by
strategically exporting medical care and humanitarian aid, building in-
country capacity, and providing health education, training and
personnel. Health diplomacy encompasses a range of services, such as
delivering life-saving AIDS medications in remote African and
Caribbean villages; delivering emergency health care, medications and
medical supplies in Haiti, Indonesia and Pakistan following
devastating natural disasters; providing polio vaccinations for
children in India; partnering with medical researchers in Ireland and
Brazil; and working with influenza epidemiologists in China.

During my tenure as the Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services, I
witnessed first-hand how health diplomacy works. Perhaps the most
powerful example of health diplomacy is the President's Emergency Fund
for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Created in 2003, PEPFAR remains the largest
health initiative by any one nation to combat a single disease. The
enormously successful program is a model for health and foreign
assistance because it incorporates these fundamental elements:
accountability, measurable goals, public-private partnerships, and in-
country ownership to deliver services.

Health diplomacy recognizes that the health and security of our own
citizens is tied directly to that of our neighbors around the world.
Through the bond of health care, this strategy builds strong, lasting
relationships -- relationships that secure our nation's future and
build a strong, stable global community.

The link between political unrest and poor health is well established.
Studies show that nations with the highest mortality rates for infants
and children under age five are those most likely to engage in war.
Terrorist groups use this link to their advantage by targeting the
health care infrastructure as a means to delegitimize governments.
Some terrorist groups also provide health care services to local
communities, thus earning the support and loyalty of the population.

Research also clearly links health and the economy. Ill children don't
receive the education they need to contribute to a strong future
economy. Sick adults can't work and cannot care for their children.
Crops aren't grown, goods aren't produced, families and communities
break down.

The connection between health, security and economic success has
gained traction among global health policy stakeholders. I urge the
112th Congress to build on this momentum. Health diplomacy must be
institutionalized as a critical component of U.S. diplomatic, defense
and foreign policy. Global health is not a Republican issue or a
Democrat issue. It's not even exclusively an American issue. It is the
moral responsibility and strategic concern of every freedom-loving
citizen of the world.