The strategy sets out
fi ve areas for action
1. Better global health security
Global health security is crucial for economic and political stability – but health is vulnerable to a wide range of complex and daunting issues. To improve global health security, we will focus on: • global poverty and health inequalities;• climate change and environmental factors;• the effects of confl ict on health and healthcare;• reducing the threat from infectious disease; and• human traffi cking and the health of migrants.
2. Stronger, fairer and safer systems to deliver health
A healthy population needs strong, fair and accountable systems for delivering good health. These are absent in many countries and in some of the poorest countries this is a key reason why progress on achieving the MDGs is slow, and why so many people are beset by chronic disease. We will work for stronger and fairer systemsto deliver health and healthcare by: • increasing fi nance for health systems withuniversal healthcare coverage;• supporting stronger health systems through the International Health Partnership (IHP);• addressing the global shortage of healthcare workers;
• increasing fairer and safer access to
medicines, technologies and innovations
and continuing to work for improved
patient safety worldwide;
• emphasising sexual, reproductive and
maternal health; and
• increasing our focus on preventing and
treating non-communicable diseases and
injuries, and supporting policies that help
people be active and well.
3. More effective international health organisations
The world needs effective international institutions to provide a stable global order. Further reform is needed if they are to be more effective in tackling global health. We will seek to improve the way global health is promoted by international institutions by: • working towards a reformed UN system with an ever more effective World Health Organization (WHO);• supporting the EU to play an even more effective role in global health; and• fostering a coherent approach to resourcing health programmes and projects in low- and middle-income countries, and to resourcing international agencies.
4. Stronger, freer and fairer trade for better health
Trade in health services, drugs and medical devices contributes signifi cantly to the UK and global economies. The marketplace for these commodities means that the UK and other economies can benefi t from the opportunities that come through freer and