COVID-19 and Beyond: US Policies for Global Health Security R&D

COVID-19 and Beyond: US Policies for Global Health Security R&D examines the role US agencies play in developing new technologies to combat global health challenges and offers recommendations for policy action during and after the COVID-19 pandemic to advance research and development (R&D) for health security.

The report describes the ongoing expertise and leadership that key US agencies have contributed to the United States’ robust scientific infrastructure, the ways in which COVID-19 has exposed gaps and opportunities in the R&D space, and how investing in science and innovation can strengthen our preparedness for the next global health crisis.

The report focuses on seven main policy recommendations that Congress and the Administration should act upon to respond to COVID-19 and prepare for future global health security threats:

• Increase investment in diagnostics and surveillance technologies.
• Continue investing in early stage research.
• Strengthen bridges across the research valley of death.
• Design medical countermeasures for low-resource settings.
• Invest in nimble production, distribution, and administration technologies.
• Lead and align with international partners.
• Strengthen US government R&D coordination and collaboration.