Special Reporter, Davos-Switzerland
GLOBAL Health and Diplomacy (GHD), a publication that provides a forum for communication between heads of state, health ministers, first ladies, civil society leaders, the private sector and global health experts, was launched today at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
This publication fills the existing gap in the dialogue between global health, diplomacy, development and security. For many years these discussions have been compartmentalized into different journals. Global health solutions need to be broad based and encompass all stakeholders, thus, a publication that allows government officials, civil society, the private sector and global health experts to engage, discuss and offer solutions is an absolute necessity.
“As a board member of Global Health and Diplomacy, I support efforts that bring together multilaterals, governments, the private sector and civil society to discuss and provide solutions for our global health challenges, specifically to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Although Africa has just 12% of the global population, it accounts for half of all maternal deaths and half the deaths of children under five. We need diplomatic and health solutions to save lives in Africa and globally,” said President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania.
The magazine will reach millions throughout the world, including presidential offices in 55 countries and policy makers in the United States, Europe, Middle East and Latin America.
The publication will address global health challenges (malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, Maternal and Child Health, Non Communicable Diseases and security) and also feature the role of donor governments in global health. The inaugural issue includes interviews with John Baird, the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister and the Minister of International Cooperation for the Canadian International Development Agency.
The publication will also highlight discussions on global health solutions The economics of health and development will be a central spotlight of every issue. While there is no doubt that there is value investing in healthy populations the realities of the current economic environment need to be considered.
“There is nothing controversial or difficult about the decision to spend on health – everyone wins. Not only is it morally appropriate to reduce suffering and death, it is also a smart investment for development. Ridding the African continent of malaria, for instance, would save at least 12 billion USD in productivity, which is currently lost to the disease,” said Dr. Awa Coll-Seck, Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.
“In challenging times where funds for international development can no longer be assumed,” says Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation. “and with four years remaining to meet the world’s Millennium Development Goals, we need to increase the value of every global health investment, through increased partnership and by scaling successful approaches, especially innovative financing.”
This issue of Global Health and Diplomacy (GHD) puts a much-needed spotlight on the importance of investing in the health and well-being of girls and women. “Women deliver enormous social and economic benefits to their families, communities, and nations,” said Jill Sheffield, President of Women Deliver.
“The world loses as much as $ 15 billion USD in productivity due to maternal and newborn deaths every year – we simply cannot afford to allow these preventable deaths to continue. Saving women’s lives is at the core of global development, economic well-being, and even national security.
Therefore, GHD’s inaugural issue focuses on the men behind women’s health because men need to be part of the solution for improving health outcomes for women. “In many parts of the world, women cannot be champions of their own health rights, therefore it is critical than men advocate for their mothers, sisters and daughters,” said Joanne Manrique, Editor in Chief of Global Health and Diplomacy.
Global Health and Diplomacy is a quarterly publication and can be found online at http://www.ghdnews.com. Contact: press@ghdnews.com or 202-467-8370