International Health and Biodefense
The Office of International Health Affairs (OES/IHB) Is the State Department’s general health office.
IHB works with agencies throughout the U.S. government to facilitate policy-making regarding environmental health, infectious diseases (e.g., SARS, Avian Influenza, Pandemic Influenza, Polio), health in post-conflict situations, and surveillance and response, and health security.
The office works with many offices within the State Department and other U.S. government agencies, including USAID, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Defense, Homeland Security, National Security Council, Homeland Security Council, and intelligence agencies. We also work with the United Nations and international organizations, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and foreign governments.
IHB promotes effective strategies for global health by encouraging strong political leadership on health policy. The office works with other government agencies to represent the U.S. position on health matters in international fora and assists U.S. diplomatic posts in their health-related activities with foreign governments.
Today, President Obama announced the United States will continue to act aggressively to stop the global spread of the pandemic 2009-H1N1 influenza virus and is prepared to make 10 percent of its H1N1 vaccine supply available to other countries through the World Health Organization (WHO). -White House Press Statement
-Secretary Clinton's Remarks on the H1N1 Flu
-World Malaria Day - April 24, 2009
-The White House - Press Office - Statement by the President on Global Health Initiative
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