Dr. Tom Frieden to Lead New Global Health Initiative, Backed by $225 Million in Funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - Seite 3

Resolve – To Prevent Epidemics

It's not a matter of "if" the next infectious disease outbreak will happen, but "when." Every country needs the ability to prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats. Toward this end, more than 50 countries have completed Joint External Evaluation (JEE) assessments, a tool that was established and adopted by the WHO following the Ebola epidemic. Through a rigorous, objective accountability framework, JEEs have identified life-threatening public health gaps in dozens of countries which could be addressed by government action. 

Resolve will help governments in low- and middle income countries move from JEE assessments to funded, implemented, and sustained programs to make their countries, their regions, and the world safer from epidemics. The focus will be on four key areas to improve capacity and preparedness:

• Implement and strengthen disease tracking systems – so that unusual events are noticed and investigated.
• Support laboratory networks – so that new and emerging threats are identified promptly.
• Develop and support "disease detectives" – epidemiologists to track and investigate diseases and outbreaks.
• Develop rapid response teams – to investigate and stop outbreaks, working out of functional emergency operations centers which operate under structured, effective incident management systems.

More information about Resolve is available at www.resolvetosavelives.org

About Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies works in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2016, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.