Toward a global health approach: lessons from the HIV and Ebola epidemics

Abstract

Abstract Background The imposing burden of non-communicable diseases, emerging infectious diseases, climate change, environmental consequences, migrations, urbanization, and other challenges, faced in a context that strives to make universal health coverage (UHC) a reality, compels global health professionals to ask: how do we construct a “global” roadmap that is both realistic and effective? To move forward and begin to answer this question, we draw on lessons and experiences gained during the “global” health crises triggered by the HIV and Ebola pandemics. Main text Improving the early response and committing to the long haul; developing inter-disciplinary and inter-sectoral responses; designing comprehensive and versatile interventions; and, most importantly, to work closely and effectively with civil society and communities are some of the critical elements that were identified. The health sector has changed dramatically in recent years; new tools and innovative technologies are transforming the culture and practice of public health. This calls for a new vision. Reprioritizing primary health care and community engagement, repositioning approaches to meet people’s needs, applying integrated disease management to respond to problems caused by the silo approach, implementing UHC, and ensuring equity are some of the new strategies. Conclusion These strategies must all undergo a mandatory revolution in health governance—locally and globally. It should be obvious that nothing can be improved on a global or sustainable scale without re-examining the architecture and governance of major funding and international organizations dedicated to health. Pressing economic, demographic, and climate issues related to health underscore the urgent need for these changes.

Keywords

• HIV
• Ebola
• Global health