What happens to global health when U.S. leadership pulls back—and what are the strategic consequences? Using the contraction of USAID and funding pressures on the World Health Organization as a starting point, this discussion will examine how gaps in investment, coordination, and core functions—prevention, surveillance, and response—can drive contagion, societal disruption, and shifting migration patterns.
We will start by discussing the current event regarding the cruise ship hantavirus outbreak and its implications in managing global health diplomacy. We will then focus on how these dynamics intersect with diplomacy, strategic competition, and national security; where other actors may step in; and what is ultimately at stake for global resilience, humanitarian outcomes, and U.S. interests.
Moderator: May Chu PhD, clinical professor appointment at the Colorado School of Public Health, senior technical consultant for USAID and WHO, former assistant director for public health to the White House during 2014-2016, former Director of the CDC’s system-wide laboratory enterprise.
Dr. Chu's areas of expertise are:
- Global outbreak and response
- SARS
- Pandemic influenza
- Biosafety
- Infection control and prevention
Food for Thought:
Some Questions to Consider Before the Salon:
- Ebola and the Cruise Ship Outbreak: How do real-time events like the Ebola outbreak in Africa or the cruise ship hantavirus outbreak test the limits of international health diplomacy, containment authority, and cross-border trust
- Dismantling of USAID: With the dissolution of USAID, which of its function is hardest to replace: humanitarian relief, disease prevention, local trust, political influence, or crisis response capacity
- The WHO Funding Pressure: As the U.S. drastically alters its relationship with and funding of the World Health Organization, what happens to global disease surveillance, prevention networks, and international crisis response?
- The "America First" Strategy: The America First Global Health Strategy shifts focus toward partner-country self-reliance and co-investment. How do we balance this push for local ownership against the immediate global need for coordinated, U.S.-backed pandemic surveillance?
- Geopolitical Vacuum: When the US reduces its global health footprint, how do other powers--particularly China--use health investment, infrastructure, and crisis response to expand influence? Is global health now a form of strategic competition as important as trade, technology, and/or military presence?
Articles that May be of Interest:
For people interested in the importance of various contributors to longevity - specifically public health: https://www.tfah.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/hlthaff.2020.00284.pdf
For those interested in the impacts of underfunding of public health programs domestically:
White House "America First Global Health Strategy" https://www.state.gov/america-first-global-health-strategy
What is A DCFR salon: It is a social gathering where people respectfully discuss, exchange, and consider critical ideas, policy, and philosophy with respect to international relations and its impact on Colorado and the world.
Provided: Snacks, refreshments and conversation!
Please note: DCFR Salons are members-only and it is limited to the first 15 guests. This is your chance to really get to know other members and learn from each other!
Location: Location Provided to Registrants Before Event