The US and Russia: Confronting Common Challenges

On Tuesday, May 12, the Center for Strategic and International Studies hosted a panel of twelve leading Russian and American experts in global health policy to examine their respective nations' experiences in infectious disease surveillance, health systems reform, chronic disease prevention and management, and global health partnership and leadership.  Co-chaired by Senator William Frist, former Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate and CSIS Trustee, and Dr. Nikolai Gerasimenko, First Vice Chair of the Russian Duma’s Committee on Health Protection, the panel weighed new ideas for future Russian-US joint initiatives and generated considerable shared excitement.  CSIS Senior Associate Judyth Twigg played the lead role in conceptualizing and coordinating the session. Approximately twenty additional experts on US-Russian collaboration on health, representing government, academia, and the private sector, contributed significantly to these discussions, which amounted to a brainstorming session for a blueprint for strategic collaboration on health.