Lurching from Complacency to Panic in the Fight Against Dangerous Microbes: A Blueprint for a Common Secure Future

This Article proposes a new paradigm for global preparedness, rejecting the current narrow silos of health assistance, such as disease-specific interventions or eradication. Global health security requires economic investment, strong international institutions, resilient national health systems, targeted research and development, and effective communication with affected populations. We place particular emphasis on reform of the World Health Organization (WHO or Organization) and emergency response within the U.N. system. The values that ought to guide future action include cooperative action, shared responsibility, equity and fairness, and global norms that are respected and enforced.