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Please join us at WHA 71 for a discussion on the value of a Global Health Security (GHS) Index in reducing the threat posed by emerging infectious diseases. The event is co-hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank Group, and has been supported by the Open Philanthropy Project, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Robertson Foundation.

About the Global Health Security Index Project:

The purpose of a GHS Index is to create a national-level assessment that, can be applied to all countries, drawing on publicly available information, measured by an independent non-governmental entity, and informed by a global panel of experts.  The GHS Index framework was developed in consultation with international experts from 12 countries. The framework’s six categories, include indicators that assess country capability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, and take into consideration political and socio-economic risk factors and a country’s broader healthcare system.  The GHS Index also draws from internationally-accepted technical assessments, including the WHO International Health Regulations (IHR) Joint External Evaluation and the OIE Performance of Veterinary Services Pathway.

The project team anticipates that a regularly produced GHS Index will serve as a tool for country governments, development banks, and donors to more systematically prioritize financing to fill vital gaps in country capability to prevent, detect, and respond to biological events before they can spread or lead to cascading and further destabilizing effects.

Key Objectives of the GHS Index:

·         Stimulate political will and create accountability for new and continuing health security investments and provide trend information over time.

·         Highlight the need for leaders to place a continued priority on global health security.

·         Increase international financing for national plans to fill identified gaps.

·         Recognize countries that have taken concrete actions to improve their own capacity and, in turn, global security.

·         Motivate countries to undertake follow-on work to address shortcomings in current health security capabilities.

The Nuclear Threat Initiative works to protect our lives, environment, and quality of life now and for future generations. We work to prevent catastrophic attacks with weapons of mass destruction and disruption (WMDD)—nuclear, biological, radiological, chemical, and cyber. Founded in 2001 by former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn and philanthropist Ted Turner, NTI is guided by a prestigious, international board of directors. Ernest J. Moniz serves as chief executive officer and co-chairman; Des Browne is vice chairman; and Joan Rohlfing serves as president.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security’s mission is to protect people’s health from the consequences of epidemics and disasters by conducting research and making policy recommendations. Center researchers study the organizations, systems, and tools essential to preventing and responding to public health crises.

The Economist Intelligence Unit is the research arm of The Economist Group, publisher of The Economist. Through a global network of more than 900 economists, analysts and contributors, we continuously assess and forecast political, economic, policy and business conditions in 205 countries. We have an extensive global presence, with 40 Economist Group offices around the world and more than a dozen staffed with EIU analysts and consultants. As the world’s leading provider of country intelligence, we help policymakers, executives and institutions by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis on economic and development strategies.

Project funding support: Funding for this project has been made possible by the generous support of the Open Philanthropy Project, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Robertson Foundation.