Department of Health and Social Care
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Launch of 'Health is Global: a UK Government strategy'

Launch of 'Health is Global: a UK Government strategy'

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH News Release (2008/0088) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 30 September 2008

A new strategy which sets out the way that the UK Government will work with the World Health Organisation, the EU and a number of other partners to improve the health of the world's population was launched today by the Health Secretary Alan Johnson.

'Health is Global: a UK Government Strategy' is underpinned by £12 million over the next five years. It highlights the critical global health challenges that the UK and the rest of the world faces and provides a clear set of actions to respond to them.

The strategy contains ten principles and five areas for action. The principles set out aspirations for consideration across Government when setting or implementing domestic and foreign policy that may affect global health.

It highlights new and neglected areas - the challenges of climate change, emerging diseases, the links between health and foreign policy and national security and the increasing importance of non-communicable diseases in low and middle income countries - and identifies areas for action.

The areas for action are:

- health security;

- strong and fair systems for health;

- more effective international health organisations;

- freer and fairer trade; and

- strengthening the way we develop and use evidence to improve policy and practice.

Mr Johnson said:

"Health is a global issue; it is one that transcends borders and boundaries. We have already received praise from the World Health Organisation for our work on pandemic preparedness, and we want to build on that success to work with other countries to address such vital issues as health inequalities and the health impacts of climate change. We will be looking more closely at the problem of health inequalities in November.

"This strategy sets out a clear course of action for the way we will work with others - both nationally and internationally - to improve the health of the world's population, including that of the UK."

The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson said:

"I very much welcome this UK Government strategy, developed following the publication of my 2007 discussion paper, Health is Global, which made the case for developing a global health strategy.

"The clear plan set out in this strategy will tackle important global health issues, such as new and emerging infections, and safer delivery of healthcare. It sets out actions that can be taken right across government to take account of the importance of global health."

The principles are a set of commitments that government departments will follow to:

- consider the impact of all policy on global health;

- promote health equity within and between countries through our foreign and domestic policies;

- protect the health of the UK proactively by tackling health challenges that begin outside our borders; and

- learn from other countries' policies and experience to improve the health and well-being of the UK population.

International Development Minister, Gillian Merron said:

"Our work on global health is about saving lives - helping people around the world to protect themselves from disease and ill health - and also protecting the UK.

"Problems which affect us on our doorsteps are often made worse by suffering in developing countries.

"That is why we have committed to spend £6 billion by 2015 to help fight disease and strengthen health support in developing countries and why improving health both at home and abroad will remain a top priority for this Government."

Mark Malloch Brown, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office said:

"The Global Health Strategy is a crucial step forward in establishing the importance of improving global health to the UK's national and foreign policy interests"

Of the £12 million:

- £4.6 million will be allocated to support others, such as the HPA, Chatham House and BMA, to expand their international activity

- £2 million will support bilateral work

- £4.6 million will support key policy areas for instance on non-communicable disease and climate change

- £400,000 will be used to monitor and evaluate independent advice and reviews

The strategy will also enable Government to use existing funds more effectively. The Government plans to spend 0.7 per cent of gross national income on international development by 2013. Earlier this year the Government made a commitment that the Department for International Development (DfID) would spend a £6 billion on health systems and services up to 2015, with a further £1 billion invested into the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. In addition the Government is investing around £400 million going into global health research over the next five years.

Notes to Editors

The strategy was published today and is available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/International/DH_072715

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