The message that U.S. investment in global health “helps advance longer term security and development goals” while also supporting a “small but growing industry with good paying jobs and world class research” was the focus of a recent meeting between officials from Washington, D.C. and Washington State, the Seattle Times’ “Business of Giving” blog writes.

“U.S. ‘smart power’ diplomatic policy now means ‘focusing not just on what governments do, but on conditions of people within those countries’ as equally important, said Anne-Marie Slaughter, director of policy planning at the U.S. State Department,” during the meeting, the blog reports. Slaughter also discussed the Obama Administration’s Global Health Initiative, noting the initiative centers on health system strengthening to “improve overall health, rather than individual diseases,” the blog writes.

“The principles are to do more of what has already proven to be effective, make the health of women and girls a priority, support entrepreneurial approaches to public health, focus on local country ownership and partner with other groups working on the same issues, Slaughter said,” according to the blog.

“The next five years in global health is the most critical period. The world has five years left to achieve the Millennium Development Goals agreed to in 2001, but some hard won gains are slipping. ‘We have the fattest pipeline of new technology we’ve ever seen,’ said Chris Elias, CEO of Seattle health nonprofit PATH. But stronger health systems are required to deliver those solutions to people who need them, he added,” accoring to the article. 

The blog highlights additional topics of interest discussed during last week’s meeting, including the connection between national and local efforts to take on global health issues (Heim, 8/2).