Global Health Security

 

Global health security is the existence of strong and resilient public health systems that can prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, wherever they occur in the world. In today's interconnected world, a disease threat anywhere is a threat everywhere – and outbreaks can disrupt American lives and livelihoods even if they never reach America's shores.

As the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks have demonstrated, diseases can cross borders, disrupt societies, and threaten global stability. Strengthening global health security is a vital national security priority, and is essential to protecting the health, lives, and economic well-being of the American people.

As the United States' health protection agency, CDC works 24/7 to save lives and protect people from health threats.

Preventing the Spread of Infectious Diseases

Stopping outbreaks at their source is the most effective and cost-efficient way to save lives and prevent deadly diseases from spreading across borders and continents. Since 2002, the Global Fund partnership has saved over 65 million lives, cut the combined death rate from HIV, TB and malaria by 63% and helped to contain dangerous pathogens that have threatened countries around the world.

Through our investments to fight these three diseases, the Global Fund has consistently supported countries to strengthen health systems and respond more rapidly to new and emerging threats. When COVID-19 hit, we acted immediately, reprogramming existing grants and mobilizing US$5 billion in additional funding to support countries in mounting large-scale, effective responses. As the emergency phase of the pandemic passed, we adapted our approach, shifting investments to focus on pandemic preparedness: strengthening laboratory networks with enhanced biosecurity, expanding early warning systems and supporting frontline health workers.

By preventing the spread of deadly diseases, the Global Fund not only saves lives – it also builds essential defenses against future pandemics, making it a proven, ready-to-use tool for global health security.

Strengthening Health and Community Systems

Strong health and community systems are the first and best defense against infectious diseases and pandemics. The Global Fund is the largest multilateral investor in health system strengthening, investing US$6 billion between 2024 and 2026. We are also the only global health institution that directly funds both governments and communities at scale – ensuring resources reach both the national level and the local level where care is delivered and outbreaks are first detected.

The same systems we invest in to fight HIV, TB and malaria – from
laboratories and supply chains to trained health workers – are the ones countries rely on to detect and contain emerging threats. For example, when a deadly new strain of mpox surfaced in Uganda in July 2024, the country’s rapid response was enabled by a robust national lab network strengthened through significant Global Fund support. The outbreak was contained before it could spread.

Every dollar the Global Fund invests in stronger, more resilient health systems helps countries stop outbreaks before they spiral out of control – safeguarding health security and lives in every corner of the world.

Enhancing Disease Surveillance and Early Warning Systems

Robust disease surveillance is the backbone of global health security. It enables countries to detect outbreaks early, respond quickly and prevent local threats from becoming global ones.

Our investments in HIV, TB and malaria, as well as dedicated funding for strong and responsive disease surveillance systems, have supported the data systems, laboratory networks and skilled health workforces that are now critical for spotting new and re-emerging threats. Between 2021 and 2025, we are investing US$400 million in surveillance systems strengthening in 94 countries – equipping them to act faster and more effectively. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, Global Fund support is helping to digitize the national disease reporting and early alert systems. These systems were critical in detecting and responding to a mysterious disease that emerged recently in a remote corner of the country, which was later confirmed to be a strain of severe malaria presenting itself as a respiratory illness.

We support countries to develop and operate integrated data systems, embedding HIV, TB and malaria monitoring within broader national systems. This approach makes surveillance more efficient, sustainable and pandemic-ready, capable of rapidly tracking and countering new and ongoing threats like Ebola, mpox and drug-resistant pathogens.

Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats to global health and economic security. Already a leading cause of death worldwide, antimicrobial resistance could kill over 10 million people annually and add US$1 trillion in health care costs by 2050. It has grave implications beyond human health, threatening agriculture, food systems, economies and the environment.

The Global Fund combats antimicrobial resistance through our investments to fight HIV, TB and malaria, which expand access to accurate diagnosis, ensure quality-assured medicines and support patients to complete treatment. These actions help slow the development of drug resistance and keep medicines effective.

Beyond the three diseases, our significant investments in health systems strengthen laboratory networks and disease surveillance systems, and promote responsible deployment of antibiotics. This helps countries to better prevent, track, diagnose and treat new threats, drug-resistant infections and dangerous disease variants.

In a connected world, no country is safe from drug-resistant superbugs. By tackling antimicrobial resistance, the Global Fund is protecting the effectiveness of lifesaving medicines and reinforcing health security everywhere.

Enhancing Stability and Security

A safer and more secure world depends on global health. Health crises and fragile health systems can fuel economic instability, social unrest and forced migration, while creating conditions that increase the risk of conflict and extremism.

Strengthening global health is a powerful driver of stability. Efforts to end HIV, TB and malaria as public health threats not only save lives – they reduce inequality, support economic growth and help prevent the kinds of crises that drive displacement and insecurity. Resilient health systems enable countries to detect and contain outbreaks before they escalate, protecting communities, fostering social cohesion, supporting long-term development and prosperity, and accelerating progress toward self-reliance.

Investing in global health protects people, national security, global influence and economic interests. It reduces the risk of pandemics that destabilize entire regions and safeguards supply chains, trade and diplomatic partnerships.

Global health security is national security. The Global Fund’s work doesn’t just reduce the spread of infectious diseases; it contributes to stronger, more stable societies, reinforces international partnerships, unlocks economic opportunities and creates a safer, more prosperous future for all.

In early 2020, news of a novel virus made headlines around the world. In the weeks and months after scientists first identified the COVID-19 coronavirus, the virus quickly spread around the world. 

Epidemiologists have long understood that in our globally connected world, pathogens can easily spread across borders. Global health security aims to prevent pandemics and rapidly respond to infectious disease outbreaks across the globe. 

Infectious diseases pose a complex threat. In the 21st century, the rate of outbreaks has increased. Changes in human behavior play a large role. Over 70 percent of epidemic-prone infectious diseases are transmitted from animals to humans, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Moreover, international trade and travel increase the rate at which diseases spread. 

A humanitarian crisis can quickly spiral into a public health emergency. Epidemics can negatively impact overall community health and exacerbate health disparities. Promoting health security requires a multifaceted, international response. Epidemiologists, front-line healthcare workers, disaster management experts, and public health organizations must work together to track infectious diseases and improve public health outcomes.

What Is Global Health Security? 

An infectious disease threat that begins in one part of the world can easily spread to other parts of the world. Global health security is what focuses on preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats. 

Public health organizations around the world work together to monitor and respond to infectious diseases. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leads national efforts to track pathogens, monitor outbreaks, and limit public health threats. The CDC coordinates with other national public health organizations and the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote global health. 

As the CDC warns, an infectious disease can spread from a remote village to major cities on all continents in just 36 hours. Pathogens threatening one region threaten all regions.

An investment in global health security strengthens the global response to public health threats. Preventing the harmful impact of diseases and epidemics benefits everyone around the world. 

The Major Risks to Global Health Security  

 

Globalization has introduced new risks to health security. As contact between humans and wild Animals increases, so does the risk of disease transmission. Global networks that cross oceans in a matter of hours spread diseases faster than ever before in history.

Similarly, public health triumphs have created new risks. Antibiotics have saved countless lives while also leading to drug-resistant pathogens. The world eradicated smallpox in the 1970s thanks to global vaccination and disease surveillance; however, research laboratories still house samples of the smallpox virus. 

The following are the top global health security risks today, according to the CDC:

          Emergence and spread of infectious diseases, such as

          The novel coronavirus identified in 2019

     Globalization of trade and travel, allowing diseases to spread faster

           Rise of drug-resistant pathogens, such as antibiotic-resistant E. coli

     Risk of intentional or accidental release of dangerous pathogens

Disaster preparation requires an understanding of these risks. Disease surveillance systems can help public health organizations identify and respond to infectious disease threats.