Advocacy

Throughout 2023, GHC continued to collaborate with members of historically underrepresented constituencies to increase health equity in local, regional, and global spaces. We focused on increasing the number of GHC members from low- and middle-income countries. After multiple in-person and virtual consultations over the past two years, we established the Health Equity Working Group, which is comprised entirely of organizations from low- and middle-income countries. This working group helps to ensure that the health challenges of the most vulnerable are prioritized when global, national, and regional health decisions are being made. GHC also awarded its second round of Advocacy in Motion (AIM) grants, with a thematic focus on pandemic preparedness and response. 

In addition, we forged partnerships with organizations that are outside of, but intersect with, global health. For example, we worked with colleagues in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to increase access to safe WASH in healthcare facilities and to address the nexus of climate and global health. We also endorsed the Global WASH in Healthcare Facilities Act, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

GHC’s position as a representative on the Pandemic Fund board became permanent in 2023, allowing us to continue representing civil society within this important funding mechanism. In addition to our participation on the UHC2030 Steering Committee, GHC also became an advisory group member to the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism of UHC2030 (CSEM). CSEM raises civil society voices in UHC2030 to ensure all UHC policies are inclusive and equitable, while paying special attention to marginalized and vulnerable populations. The Graduate Institute for Global Health, World Health Organization, and CSEM joined together to launch Social Participation for Health: Engagement, Research, and Empowerment (SPHERE). This initiative brings together civil society representatives, multilateral agencies, implementers, and academics to drive health reform with a focus on universal health coverage. It is intended to create greater and more meaningful engagement of civil society and communities in national, regional, and global public health processes.

In addition, GHC continued its efforts to shift the narrative around global health security. After significant inputs from GHC community members and key stakeholders, we created a digital infographic to help establish a new definition of global health security that is holistic and centers human rights, equity, dignity, and thriving development.

Despite the very difficult budget environment, GHC and its members were tireless in advocating for robust U.S. global health budgets. Our efforts helped to secure $10.928 billion for global health programs in the President’s FY24 Budget ($367 million above FY23 enacted). However, Congress had yet to finalize any FY24 bills at the end of the calendar year, leaving us to operate at the FY23 levels.

GHC advocacy in 2023 included:

• Providing verbal and written inputs to officials at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Global Affairs regarding the WHO International Negotiating Body and International Health Regulations Working Groups, the 76th World Health Assembly, and the G7
• Providing inputs on multiple drafts of an International Pandemic Agreement being negotiated by WHO Member States
• Serving as a voting member of the Pandemic Fund’s Governing Board, representing civil society in the Global North
• Advocating to influence the outcome documents of three health-focused United Nations High-Level Meetings
• GHC members meeting with more than 50+ congressional offices using unified advocacy language
• Working with colleagues in WASH to increase access to safe WASH in healthcare facilities and to address the nexus of climate and global health
• Endorsing the Global WASH in Healthcare Facilities Act introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives
• Separate from the bill, co-hosting an event on the sidelines of the 2023 UN Water Conference in March with partners from the WASH Working Group. The event was attended by approximately 75 people, including Ambassador Lisa Carty, U.S. Representative to the Economic and Social Council of the UN, and Maura Berry, Interim Global Water Coordinator at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
• Producing an updated Global Health Briefing Book, including a new online Progress Report tracking global health-related resolutions and legislation, a launch event, and both in-person and virtual Hill Days to educate members

• Hosting a Hill event in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Child Survival Call to Action, attended by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Roger Marshall, Atul Gawande, and Penelope Campbell (UNICEF-Zambia)

• Expanding the number of GHC Working Groups to eight, including the new Equity and Health Systems Strengthening working groups
• Creating a digital infographic to establish a definition of global health security that is holistic and centers human rights, equity, dignity, and thriving development

• Serving as the Global North Alternate Civil Society Representative for the UHC2030 Steering Committee
• Leading advocacy with the Biden administration for a bold and visionary ask in the FY25 President’s Budget Request on global health funding and policies