Advocacy Updates ~ May 12, 2021
Administration News U.S. backs proposal to waive COVID-19 vaccine patent rights U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the Biden-Harris Administration support of waiving intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines, noting “This is a global health crisis, and the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic call for extraordinary measures.” Tai committed that the U.S. would engage…
Read MoreAdvocacy Updates ~ April 28, 2021
Administration News Biden administration releases preview of FY22 budget request On April 9, the Biden Administration released a preview of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 discretionary budget request–the traditional first step in the budget process that enables lawmakers to begin drafting their annual appropriations bills. The discretionary budget includes a historic increase of the International…
Read MoreWhy Vaccines Matter
By Anderson Alleyne, Communications Consultant, Global Health Council World Immunization Week (April 24-30) is an opportunity to raise awareness of vaccinations and the crucial role they play in maintaining a healthy world. Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted life-saving vaccine campaigns. As mentioned in our 2021 Global Health Briefing Book, more than…
Read MoreMember Spotlight: Speak Up Africa
Why COVID-19 in Africa matters to the rest of the world By Yacine Djibo, Founder and Executive Director of Speak Up Africa The first COVID-19 vaccines landed on the African continent in February. Since then, almost all countries in Africa have signed up to the COVAX program and over 16 million doses have been delivered. …
Read MorePractical Lessons From the Pandemic: Listen, Act and Change
By Angela Nguku, Founder and Executive Director, White Ribbon Alliance Kenya The Covid-19 pandemic is still here with us, wreaking havoc among populations and amongst all sectors globally. The effects have been felt, are still being felt, and will be felt for generations to come. Indeed, the world at large has been confronted with the…
Read MoreGHC Statement on the Release of President Biden’s First Budget Proposal
Washington, D.C. (April 9, 2021) – The Biden Administration released a preview of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget proposal – the traditional first step in the budget process that will enable lawmakers to begin drafting their annual appropriations bills. The discretionary budget blueprint released today contains $63.5 billion for the international affairs budget. Global…
Read MoreAdvocacy Updates ~ April 5, 2021
Administration News Gayle Smith to lead COVID-19 and global health security at State Department On April 5, Secretary of State Antony Blinken named Gayle E. Smith as Coordinator for Global COVID Response & Health Security at the U.S. State Department. Gayle Smith, currently President and CEO of ONE Campaign, will be on temporary assignment to…
Read MoreAdvocacy Updates ~ March 22, 2021
Congressional News American Rescue Plan includes emergency global health funding On March 11, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan COVID-19 relief bill into law. The final bill includes significant funding for the U.S. global response to the pandemic. A few highlights include: $3.09 billion for USAID to prevent, detect and respond to…
Read MoreRenewing Our Focus on Women and Girls
By Mariana Becerra and Amanda Van Duym, co-chairs of Global Health Council’s MNCH Roundtable Women stand at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, working as health care workers, caregivers, researchers, advocates and as some of the most exemplary national leaders in combating the pandemic. However, one year into the pandemic and in the midst of Women’s…
Read MoreMember Spotlight: Friends of the Global Fight
In the Shadow of COVID-19, the Fight Against AIDS, TB and Malaria Continues By Berk Ehrmantraut, Senior Digital Communications Manager, Friends of the Global Fight Over the past year, COVID-19 has transformed the world. From our work routines and travel to our ability to see friends and family, no aspect of our lives has gone…
Read More