R!A Briefing Re-Cap on the Importance of DOD and Global Health
July 28th 2011
Today, I attended a Research! America hosted briefing at the Reserve Officers Association in Washington DC. An expert panel divulged the extraordinary legacy of health research the US Department of Defense has played in the past and continues to lead today. The DOD heads world-renowned research efforts in infectious diseases and health interventions promoting peace and security in its impactful outreach at home and abroad. This briefing was convened by Research! America, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Sabin Vaccine Institute.
DOD Under-resourced and Under-acknowledged
Karen Goraleski, Executive Director of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, moderated the conversation and introduced the panel of experts “who move in the global health R&D space every day”. Stephen Morrison, an author of the newly released CSIS report on the DOD’s Enduring Contributions to Health[as1] , spoke about the delicacy and depth of the overseas DOD medical labs and the profound impact they have had on communities and regions in which they operate. He highlighted the “readiness” dimension of the labs to react and respond to health threats at a moment’s notice and the complexity of partnerships which make these labs and researchers a public health success. Karen Remley, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Health, added that from her previous work overseas, “If there was a DOD lab in the country, countries were more willing to work with you.” The DOD’s scientific health research presence at home (at the Walter Reed Institute of Research in Maryland) and at a multitude of laboratories abroad are significant to communities worldwide.
The DOD and Their Track Record of Health Interventions
Colonel Kent Kester, Former Commander of the Walter Reed army Institute of Research, highlighted the research efforts the DOD has continued to expand as part of the DOD’s health force protection mandate because “health threats don’t discriminate and diseases don’t wait”. Dr. Peter Hotez, President of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, shared a lengthy list of DOD’s successful health interventions, including over 6 vaccines (2 of which now include HIV/AIDs and a malaria vaccine). This is just one example of the DOD’s success due to the consistent efforts of health interventions research.
Conclusion
This briefing focused on the DOD’s efforts in global health R&D that have led to major successes. While the proportion of funds directed towards these efforts at the DOD is less than 0.05% of the total DOD budget, the impact already worldwide of these investments has been significant. The DOD’s research efforts are a best buy in global health and are a story worth telling. And we need to continue telling this story and raising awareness of the DOD's success and important role in research for global health issues.
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