U.S. Department of State

Saving lives and assisting countries and communities to develop sustainable solutions to save and improve the lives of women, children and families.

©AFP Image / Gwenn Dubourthoumieu (center)

During this phase of the President's Global Health Initiative (GHI), the U.S. Government - including USAID, the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense, and the Peace Corps - has moved quickly to develop joint strategies that align U.S. investments with host country government priorities in partnership NGOs and the private sector. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, U.S. Government Teams developed 21 GHI Country Strategies, and twenty more strategies are targeted for approval in early FY 2012.

Saving the Lives of Mothers and Children

GHI programs renew the U.S. emphasis on saving the lives of mothers, children, and families from preventable, treatable diseases. U.S. investments provide immunizations and are working to: control and treat malaria, eliminate pediatric AIDS, and avert unintended pregnancy, which is saving millions of lives.

Protecting Communities from Infectious Diseases

A critical GHI focus includes tuberculosis (TB) and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). These diseases have the greatest impact on the lives of women, children and families. Drug resistant TB is a global threat and is the leading killer of people with HIV. It requires continued resources and focus. Seven treatable NTDs afflict more than one billion people causing lifelong disability, poor intellectual development, and increasing poverty.

Creating an AIDS-Free Generation

HIV/AIDS has devastated countries worldwide, particularly in Africa. Millions of men, women and children with HIV/AIDS are now on life saving treatment and are provided with care and support. In partnership with countries and communities, implementation of new research and solutions is creating the prospect of an AIDS-free generation for the first time in decades.

Maximizing Results

GHI ensures that U.S. Government agencies combine their efforts to maximize results, making the most of every dollar to improve the health of the poorest families around the world. GHI implementation has four standard components:

• Collaborating for impact: Promote country ownership and align U.S. investments with national plans, including improved coordination across U.S. agencies and with other donors.
• Doing more of what works, ending what does not: Identify, take to scale, and evaluate proven approaches in all fields of health and stop efforts that have not produced positive impacts on health outcomes.
• Build and expand existing country-owned platforms to foster stronger systems and sustainable results: Strengthen health systems' functions to ensure the quality and reach of short- and long-term health services and public health programs, and work with governments to ensure sustainability.
• Innovating for results: Identify, implement, and rigorously evaluate new approaches that reward efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability.

 

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