The Board on Global Health (BGH) is concerned with advancing the health of populations worldwide. This involves addressing developing country health issues, enhancing the United States role in global health, and addressing health issues that have implications for U.S. health policy.

The Board identifies priority issues in these areas and provides evidence-based guidance and recommendations to the U.S. government, international organizations, foundations, and non-governmental organizations. To meet these diverse goals, Board members have broad expertise in international health and experience in a range of countries. The Board also collaborates with the medical academies in other countries, developed and developing, on health issues of mutual concern.

The Board focuses on public health programs for prevention and control of disease and disability. This includes

• assessment of biomedical knowledge, research, and opportunities;
• reduction of behavioral, socioeconomic, and environmental risks to public health;
• recognition and guidance on ethical issues in public health; and
• recognition of opportunities to apply scientific knowledge to public policy making.

These activities frequently include addressing the adequacy of the scientific base to support improvements in health and health care, along with the availability of trained personnel, institutional capacity, and supportive partnerships and collaborations.