Global Health Institute

The first takeaway demonstrates the need for effective responses to emerging epidemics, such as H5NI, West Nile Virus, SARS-CoV, and Ebola. Dr. Fauci specifically highlighted vaccine development, prototype platforms, and multiplex molecular diagnostics. In his January 2018 New England Journal of Medicine article, he writes that “a broad range of expertise and substantial resources will be required to fill gaps in our knowledge and develop a transformative approach to influenza-vaccine design” when advocating for an effective influenza vaccine. Naturally, this requires a significant financial commitment from countries in order to research and implement these solutions. Without this commitment, countries that do not have the infrastructure in place to respond adequately are vulnerable to pandemics. The fact that these epidemics occur often means that our pandemic preparedness must be effective and coherent in order to prevent catastrophe.

When talking about the second takeaway Dr. Fauci referenced the “parachute science” that was previously the policy of United States Agency for International Development’s in Africa, where scientists would come in, respond to the outbreak, and leave without providing a sustainable infrastructure for these countries on their own to respond to future outbreaks. PEPFAR, according to Dr. Fauci, represents an unprecedented commitment to moral global leadership, and it continues to invest in numerous treatment, prevention, and care programs in Africa. This challenge to empower countries to increase their own response preparedness is imperative to global health security, as pandemics can begin anywhere, and accordingly can be prevented with early detection and treatment of ongoing outbreaks by countries with these capabilities. I believe that disseminating the best practices in outbreak response while sharing scientific knowledge and resources will create a safer world against pandemic, as disease does not stop at a geographic border.

Surprisingly, Dr. Fauci also noted that communicating global health and disease prevention work will continue to pose a significant challenge. When asked about his experience as the public face of U.S. disease outbreak response for the last 35 years, Dr. Fauci outlined several principles for communicating scientific information:

1. Know who you are addressing and their level of expertise on the subject

2. Draft one precise message that you are conveying

3. Stay on this message as much as you can

4. Aim to increase the person’s comprehension of the subject

5. Do not speculate beyond the facts, particularly during emergencies

I find these principles to be a great roadmap to calmly addressing these risks to the public, while also instilling a sense of trust in those that work to respond to these epidemics. Scientists must recognize how they translate their work to the public while still providing pertinent information. 

Moving forward, Dr. Fauci reminded the attendees that we must never forget the lives behind these outbreaks, as talking about these issues of preparedness, partnerships, and communications make disease response seem like an abstract concept. Yet, there are human lives behind every statistic, every report, and every policy. This recognition, according to Dr. Fauci, is a key driver in all of his work at the NIAID, and we should all aim to remember the humanity inherent in global health.

Patrick Walsh (SFS ‘21) is a sophomore in the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and is currently pursuing a major in Science, Technology, and International Affairs with a concentration in Biotechnology and Global Health.

This blog was written by a student in Georgetown’s Conversations in Global Health course, which brings leaders in global health to Georgetown to discuss their careers and work.