Better health begins with ideas

Editors' Note

The latest draft of the Pandemic Agreement, meant to address the shortcomings of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was leaked on April 17. In response, CFR's Chloe Searchinger and Alejandra Martinez sat down with Alexandra Phelan of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and Nina Schwalbe of Spark Street Advisors, to discuss what issues remain unresolved during the final negotiations. 

Sticking with infectious disease, journalist Rachel Nuwer speaks with a slew of U.S. veterinarians about the outbreak of avian influenza in cattle. Her piece reveals why farmers are disincentivized to report new cases under current U.S. policy. 

Turning to Ukraine, journalist Stephen Langel explains how Congress's latest foreign aid package is intended for humanitarian support but does not offer enough flexible spending to address a brewing public health crisis. 

Thursday was World Malaria Day. To mark the occasion, a group from Unitaid and the Global Fund chronicle a recent string of innovative partnerships that have accelerated access to new malaria defenses. 

We finish the week with a miniseries on Africa's New Public Health Order, guest edited by Ebere Okereke of the Africa Public Health Foundation. The series, which also features contributions from Oyeronke Oyebanji of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Spring Gombe, a global health strategy consultant, discusses how the plan will shape Africa's health partnerships and its future in a shifting geopolitical world.  

Until next week!—Nsikan Akpan, Managing Editor, and Caroline Kantis, Associate Editor  

This Week's Highlights

GOVERNANCE

Pandemic Agreement Negotiations Begin Final Stretch: What To Expect 

by Chloe Searchinger and Alejandra Martinez

With final negotiations set for late April, two experts explain the nuances of the Pandemic Agreement's latest draft 

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TRADE

Cattle Veterinarians Express Confusion over U.S. Response to Bird Flu

by Rachel Nuwer

Denial and a lack of unity across states are limiting a swift response to the novel outbreak

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POVERTY

U.S. Aid Package Ignores Ukraine's Brewing Public Health Crisis  

by Stephen Langel

Public health experts say the heightened conflict is making outbreaks more likely in Ukraine and elsewhere

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Figure of the Week

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Recommended Feature

GOVERNANCE

Global Health and the Second Independence of Africa

by Ebere Okereke

Plans for a new public health order for Africa are central to the continent's future

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GOVERNANCE

Rethinking Donor Partnerships in Africa 

by Oyeronke Oyebanji

Improving health in Africa requires more effective and respectful collaboration with global partners 

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GOVERNANCE

Africa's New Public Health Order and U.S. Global Health Policy  

by Spring Gombe

Pan-African public health ambitions challenge U.S. health diplomacy in Africa 

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What We're Reading

Toxic: How the Search for the Origins of COVID-19 Turned Politically Poisonous (AP News)

Charted: Young Adult Sterilization Soars Post–Roe v. Wade (Axios)

America Is Uniquely Ill-Suited to Handle a Falling Population (The Economist)

Fragments of Bird Flu Virus Discovered in Milk (New York Times)

Massive Amounts of H5N1 Vaccine Would Be Needed If There's a Bird Flu Pandemic. Can We Make Enough? (STAT)

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