Today, the Global Health Summit Scientific Expert Panel, established by the G20 and European Commission, co-chaired by NAM president Victor J. Dzau, presented key recommendations and characteristics of effective systems for health threat prevention, preparedness, and response at the Global Health Summit to G20 members, heads of international and regional organizations, and representatives of global health bodies.
The Panel’s Report provided COVID-19-informed, evidence-based principles that aim to offer forward-looking structural changes to prepare and respond to future global health emergencies. Key areas of the Panel’s report address global equitable access to supplies, research, and innovation; integrated disease surveillance and data-sharing; sustainable health; and more. To achieve these principles, the Panel emphasized the importance of sourcing and allocating appropriate funding to protect the world’s collective health.
“In order to effectively address the current and future threats to our global health, we need scientifically-driven solutions, international cooperation, and structures and resources to ensure equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and other resources to combat pandemic diseases,” said Dzau.
The Panel identified ten evidence-based areas in need of urgent action:
- End the acute stage of the pandemic and leave no one behind: Ensure equitable access to medical tools to fight COVID-19;
- Invest in scientific research & development before, during, and in between health crises;
- Actively and genuinely involve research groups in low- and middle-income countries;
- Strengthen integrated disease surveillance, data collection, analysis, and sharing at all levels;
- Strengthen and protect science advice;
- Be ready for the next health crisis: Invest in standing systems and workforce for preparedness and response;
- Strengthen regional manufacturing capacities and hubs;
- Empower and earn the trust of people;
- Collaborate & coordinate at all levels: Strengthen relevant governance structures and leadership, and ensure adequate financing; and
- Address the problem at the root: Reduce risks through more sustainable ways of living
Findings presented at the G20 Global Health Summit will help shape the creation of a “Rome Declaration:” a set of guiding principles for mid- to long-term structural change, which, along with joint global action, can address and prevent future global health crises.
The Panel, consisting of 27 eminent international scientists and experts, was co-chaired by Professor Peter Piot, Special adviser to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen; Professor Silvio Brusaferro, President of the Italian National Institute of Health; Professor Victor Dzau, President of the United States National Academy of Medicine; Professor Yee-Sin Leo, Director of the National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore; Professor John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The complete list of Panel members is available here.
Read the Panel’s full report here.
Media inquiries: Dana Korsen (dkorsen@nas.edu)
