Introduction
Over the past year, the world witnessed remarkable breakthroughs and innovations in global health. For the first time, a proof-of-concept showed that a microbicide can protect women against HIV and herpes.1 In a landmark announcement in HIV prevention research, a daily antiretroviral combination of tenofovir and emtracitibine showed its ability to reduce infection among some groups at high risk of HIV.2 A new meningitis vaccine, costing less than 50 cents per dose, was launched in Africa and is expected to prevent disability and death in millions of people. Researchers are closer than ever before to developing new vaccines to prevent malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and dengue fever.
These scientific breakthroughs and advances in global public health did not happen by chance. They resulted from a commitment to research and innovation by many, including governments, public-private partnerships, academic research institutions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector. The US Government plays a unique role in global health research and development, particularly through its experts at agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Defense (DoD), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and US Agency for International Development (USAID). The administration has invoked science and innovation as central components of its global health and development strategies, and both Democratic and Republican members of the US Congress have taken steps to elevate innovation and research.
Despite these remarkable achievements, there is still much work to be done. Some of the tools needed to achieve major improvements in health and development do not yet exist, and often those that do exist are outdated or difficult to administer. Neglected tropical diseases, such as sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis, affect more than one billion people annually, and many of these diseases have no effective treatment. There is no vaccine to prevent malaria or HIV infection. Resistance to some TB drugs is increasing worldwide. Although major progress has been made against maternal mortality, almost 400,000 women die every year from pregnancy-related complications—deaths that could be prevented with new tools to address severe bleeding and infections. And two million children still die from pneumonia each year.
This report offers ways for US policymakers to accelerate scientific innovation and facilitate the rapid introduction of safe, effective, and affordable new health technologies. By following the actions outlined in this report, US policymakers can build on the nation’s commitment to science and innovation and long tradition of leadership in these areas, helping to ensure that the next generation of global health tools reaches those most in need.