NTI experts to focus on Global Health Security Index at 71st World Health Assembly

Government officials and health experts from around the world will attend the 71st World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva this week, where the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) will give presentations on the importance of health and security and the Global Health Security (GHS) Index.

NTI experts Beth Cameron and Michelle Nalbandian will take part in a breakfast side event titled, “Value of a Global Health Security Index,” with experts from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The organizations have been collaborating on the development of a GHS Index that can benchmark global health security conditions, identify needs, and bolster compliance with international economic preparedness standards.

Hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank Group, Wednesday’s event will focus on the potential impacts of a GHS Index. Ugandan Minister of Health Dr. Jane Aceng, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Deputy Director for Surveillance and Epidemiology Dr. Scott Dowell, World Bank Group Advisor for Health, Nutrition and Population Mukesh Chawla and Columbia University Medical Center Visiting Professor of Pediatrics and International Affairs Dr. Wilmot James will all take part in the event as panelists.

NTI will also take part in the Global Health Security Agenda Consortium, which will bring together international leaders to discuss potential investments to strengthen global health security and public health systems and to promote universal health coverage.