HHS and Global Health in the Second Obama Administration

The second Obama administration recognized and used the comparative advantages of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand partnerships with other governments fighting outbreaks and communicable diseases, to multiply American impact through reform of and collaboration with the World Health Organization, and to lay some groundwork for a more adaptable and sustainable global health workforce within HHS. Because HHS’s comparative advantage is existing staff with unmatched health, medical, and scientific expertise, HHS’s engagement in global health and human services work is cost effective and, with attention and leadership, sustainable and able to grow.

Photo credit: Aude Guerrucci-Pool/Getty Images

Jimmy Kolker

Former Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services