Report

At this historic moment, the incoming Obama administration and leaders of the U.S. Congress have the opportunity to advance the welfare and prosperity of people within and beyond the borders of the United States through intensified and sustained attention to better health. Over the last decade, the U.S. government has spent record amounts on global health. By building on these commitments and deploying the full complement of U.S. assets to achieve global health, the United States can improve the lives of millions around the world, while reflecting America’s values and protecting and promoting the nation’s interests.

The Institute of Medicine—with the support of four U.S. government agencies and five private foundations—formed an independent committee to examine the United States’ commitment to global health and to articulate a vision for future U.S. investments and activities in this area. The report recommends that the new administration highlight health as a pillar of U.S. foreign policy and provides specific recommendations as to how the incoming leadership can demonstrate its commitment to global health.

A more complete exploration of this vision—including the role of the commercial sector, foundations, academia, and non-governmental organizations—will be released in the spring of 2009.