Promoting Public Health and Protecting Consumers in a Global Economy: An Overview of HHS/FDA’s International Activitie

As the world adapts to the latest phase of globalization, perhaps no aspect of human life has been affected more than the health of the individual. Open markets, open borders, and open political systems have led to increased potential risks of harm and to greater opportunities to promote public health and to protect consumers. How can government agencies that historically are primarily domestic in nature address global issues such as: • growing international trade in foods, pharmaceuticals, and medical products; • bioterrorism; and • emerging infectious diseases with potential global impact, such as pandemic influenza? The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the U.S. government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. Secretary Michael O. Leavitt leads HHS and its twelve operating divisions, whose responsibilities include, among others, public health, biomedical research, Medicare and Medicaid, welfare, and social services. With the ever-increasing global impact on its organizational components, HHS has an established global presence, coordinated by the Office of Global Health Affairs (OGHA). OGHA’s mission is “to promote the health of the people of the world by advancing the Department of Health and Human Services’ global strategies and partnerships, thus serving the health and well-being of the people of the United States.”1 Other components of HHS that address international issues include the following: • the National Institutes of Health (NIH’s) John E. Fogarty International Center, which develops and manages innovative and collaborative research and training programs and international partnerships; • the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Office of Global Health, which provides leadership, coordination, and support for HHS/CDC’s global health activities in collaboration with global health partners; and * Mr. Kelly is an Associate Director for International Policy at the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’) Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Rockville, MD. ** Dr. Bachorik is the Senior Advisor for International Policy and Communications at HHS/