12 FEB 2025, Copenhagen - The first edition of the IDA Forum: Global Infectious Disease Policy Priorities opened by recognising the drastic change in the global health landscape that happened over the course of the past few weeks, with the US signaling enormous cuts in funding for international aid and global health. This shift reinforced the importance of continued discussions on global infectious disease policy priorities.
Rodrigo Scotini, IDA's executive director, also highlighted the recently-launched Call to Action to Preserving Global Health Security Through Sustained Investment in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control.
The floor was then handed over to the speakers, who each discussed their organisations and their role in the infectious disease space. The speakers and their topics of discussion were as follows:
Dr Lucica Ditiu of the Stop TB Partnership - The role of Stop TB Partnership in global health advocacy
Dr Chantal Morel of the KPM Center for Public Management, University of Bern - Antimicrobial resistance and global advocacy
Jeremiah Mwangi of the World Heart Federation - Links between Infectious Diseases and Cardiovascular Disease
Guilherme Faviero of the AHF Global Public Health Institute - Global health governance
Dr Kristie Mikus of the Global Health Technologies Coalition - Innovations in healthcare
Dr Erta Kalanxhi of the One Health Trust - Global health priorities from a One Health perspective
Dr Sarah Collinson of Sightsavers - Health equity and inclusion
Geoffrey Namara of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence - The Hub’s contribution to health preparedness and response
Following this, the participants and speakers were separated into small thematic groups, where discussions occurred based around a key policy area. These groups were moderated by IDA members. The highlights of the discussions are presented below:
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Global gaps include limited consideration of blood-related diseases due to their niche nature, weak surveillance systems, lack of data sharing, and inequitable funding for vaccines and outbreak preparedness.
Civil society can contribute in this area by advocating for stronger policies and funding, promoting transparency in data sharing, and building public trust in government and policymakers.
Global policy priorities should include establishing equitable vaccine policies, countering misinformation through ongoing education campaigns, and mobilizing communities to address stigma around diseases like HIV.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Current major gaps in addressing AMR include the lack of integration between population health and clinical interventions, and disconnects between AMR teams, policy implementation, and national action plans. Additionally, immigration policies impact AMR management and response efforts.
Civil society can address these issues by advocating for better funding allocation, influencing policy development in AMR, and improving surveillance mechanisms.
Key global priorities include increased involvement of pharmaceutical companies in AMR efforts, strengthening research and development programs, and enhancing sanitation and disease control measures.
Infectious Disease Emergency Management
A key challenge is the lack of cross-border collaboration in emergency response.
Civil society can play a key role in raising awareness and ensuring prioritization of emergency preparedness in resource allocation is essential.
Some global policy priorities are the strengthening domestic resource allocation for emergency management, fostering global solidarity in health security, and advocating for elevated prioritization of health security funding.
Integrated Primary Healthcare
Global challenges include reaching remote areas, difficulties in task shifting or sharing, and the need for sustainable funding models. While regional cooperation exists, solutions remain context-dependent.
Civil society should engage in problem identification, advocate against systemic racism in healthcare delivery, and push for full engagement of affected communities. Collaborating with governments and ensuring accountability in policy implementation are key actions.
Strengthening collaboration between CSOs and governments, ensuring sustainable funding, and prioritizing community-driven healthcare solutions are essential policy priorities.
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
Sustaining health policies, reliance on limited donor funding, and integrating NTD management into mainstream health systems are major challenges.
Surveillance efforts, advocacy, and tailored interventions are key roles for civil society in addressing NTDs.
Greater attention to progress, reaching underserved communities, and health education are essential for effective NTD management.
One Health
Global challenges include limited understanding of intersectoral connections, lack of standardized methodologies, barriers to collaboration, and institutional communication gaps.
Civil society can bridge knowledge gaps, advocate for underrepresented issues, and enhance research efforts through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Simplifying One Health concepts, creating accessible documentation, and promoting quality information and public awareness are key priorities.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Key global issues include low childhood vaccination rates, poor vaccine access in vulnerable regions, and the need for stronger health systems integration.
Civil society should advocate for regional vaccine specificity, build public trust in science, and ensure effective donor funding allocation.
Strengthening immunization programs, integrating health system strengthening into policies, and enhancing public education on vaccine-preventable diseases are crucial.
Zoonotic Diseases
Major global gaps include the lack of animal vaccination programs, inadequate preventative measures, and insufficient investment in disease prevention infrastructure.
Civil society should lead advocacy efforts, expand knowledge dissemination, and push for stronger policies to prevent zoonotic disease spread.
Reducing high-risk human-animal interactions, enforcing biosecurity measures, and addressing climate change-related zoonotic risks are essential for global health security.
Vector-Borne Diseases
Increased focus is needed on migrant populations, who face higher infectious disease risks due to limited healthcare access. Timely provision of effective anti-infectives is critical.
Respiratory Infections
Efforts should focus on universal access to diagnostics, treatment, and vaccines, strengthening healthcare systems, and addressing environmental determinants such as air quality and housing conditions.
Following the group discussions, the participants returned to plenary for a final discussion on global policy priorities, addressing IDA’s draft policy strategy. Questions and comments were discussed in an open format with the participants. Rodrigo Scotini then moved onto the closing remarks, reiterating IDA’s mission to contribute to the changing landscape of global health.
IDA would like to thank all the speakers, participants, and volunteers for contributing to such an insightful and timely discussion. The feedback and comments discussed at the Forum will be incorporated into IDA's draft policy strategy.
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