Global health security now

Abstract

The concept of security as an important dimension of health divides opinions. To invoke the idea of security risks giving permission to more authoritarian-minded governments to use health crises as justification for sometimes extreme curbs on liberty or the political, economic, and social rights of citizens. During the Ebola virus disease outbreak, photographs appeared in news media of police brutally attacking the public for breaching curfews. Invoking arguments of global health security might further encourage this kind of violent response. Alternatively, security could more constructively mean protecting and empowering people, a view promulgated by the UN's Commission on Human Security in 2003. 1 Commission on Human SecurityHuman security now. Commission on Human Security, New York2003 Google Scholar This week, The Lancet looks at the implications of a security lens applied to health in the aftermath of the Ebola outbreak in west Africa. 2 Heymann DL Chen L Takemi K et al. Global health security: the wider lessons from the west African Ebola virus disease epidemic. Lancet. 2015; 385: 1884-1901 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (266) Google Scholar , 3 Gostin LO Friedman EA A retrospective and prospective analysis of the west African Ebola virus disease epidemic: robust national health systems at the foundation and an empowered WHO at the apex. Lancet. 2015; 385: 1902-1909 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (127) Google Scholar , 4 Kruk ME Myers M Varpilah ST Dahn BT What is a resilient health system? Lessons from Ebola. Lancet. 2015; 385: 1910-1912 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (254) Google Scholar Thanks to Ebola, global health security is now a priority, not only for ministers of health but also for heads of state. Global health security: the wider lessons from the west African Ebola virus disease epidemicThe Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa was unprecedented in both its scale and impact. Out of this human calamity has come renewed attention to global health security—its definition, meaning, and the practical implications for programmes and policy. For example, how does a government begin to strengthen its core public health capacities, as demanded by the International Health Regulations? What counts as a global health security concern? In the context of the governance of global health, including WHO reform, it will be important to distil lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak. Full-Text PDF A retrospective and prospective analysis of the west African Ebola virus disease epidemic: robust national health systems at the foundation and an empowered WHO at the apexThe Ebola virus disease outbreak in west Africa is pivotal for the worldwide health system. Just as the depth of the crisis ultimately spurred an unprecedented response, the failures of leadership suggest the need for innovative reforms. Such reforms would transform the existing worldwide health system architecture into a purposeful, organised system with an empowered, highly capable WHO at its apex and enduring, equitable national health systems at its foundation. It would be designed not only to provide security against epidemic threats, but also to meet everyday health needs, thus realising the right to health. Full-Text PDF What is a resilient health system? Lessons from EbolaThe fragility of health systems has never been of greater interest—or importance—than at this moment, in the aftermath of the worst Ebola virus disease epidemic to date. The loss of life, massive social disruption, and collapse of even the most basic health-care services shows what happens when a crisis hits and health systems are not prepared.1 This did not happen only in west Africa—we saw it in Texas too: the struggle to provide a coherent response and manage public sentiment (which often manifests as fear) in a way that ensures that disease does not spread while also allowing day-to-day life to continue. Full-Text PDF