Strategic Plan 2024
Department of International Health
The Global Health Landscape Is Shifting Rapidly
Epidemiologic transition in the global burden of disease from predominantly infectious causes to non-communicable diseases
Increasing recognition of the need for more equitable global partnerships
Funding now shifting to LMIC country led efforts with institutions in high income countries serving in supporting roles.
Increasing utilization of big data and AI-supported research
Climate change increasingly recognized as a central concern for health and wellbeing
Community health worker in Bangladesh visiting a family. Photo credit: Paul Joseph Brown for the JiVitA project
Our Strategy Focuses on
Reinforcing areas of strength and aligning our research and education priorities with the most pressing existing and emerging global health issues
Tackling persistent operational inefficiencies to positively impact our ability to deliver on our mission
Strengthening our approach to partnership to ensure we focus on long-term, equitable, mutually beneficial partnerships to achieve global impact
Feast for the Future project. Photo credit: Ed Cunicelli for the Center for Indigenous Health
STRATEGIC GOALS
Research
REINFORCE CORE STRENGTHS
Reinforce core platform strengths, including strengthening our work with Women, Children & Adolescents and in Health Systems
BUILD NEW STRENGTHS
Build capacity in new research areas of emerging need, including Climate Change and the life-long impacts of nutrition
GROUPS EXPERIENCING DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT
Sustain our focus on improved health outcomes in groups experiencing disproportionate impact, including among indigenous populations and populations affected by humanitarian crises
Education
IMPROVED QUALITY
Our education and mentorship programs are high-quality, reflect the priorities of the communities with whom we work and supported by equitable institutional infrastructure
IMPROVED ACCESS
Offer accessible educational offerings to individuals from communities and geographies in which we work and where we seek to have impact.
IMPROVED SKILLS
Provide future global health leaders with the knowledge and skills required to address emerging public health challenges and reduce inequities
Partnerships
PREFERRED PARTNER STATUS
We are positioned to be a supporting, effective and equitable partner through our engagement, operations, education and research
COLLECTIVE POWER FOR IMPACT
Build and use the collective power of our multi-lateral partnerships to maximize positive impact in global public health
MUTUAL CAPACITY BUILDING
Support equitable, bi-directional capacity building between our department and our partners to achieve greater impact
TARGETED RESEARCH AREAS
Six research areas will receive particular attention and investment to support our research strategic goals around
Reinforce Core Platform Strengths
- Reduce inequities and disease burden for women, children and adolescents
- More effective, equitable, and responsive health systems
Build New Strengths to Address Needs
- Build leadership in the effects of climate change on infection risk, disease burden & evidence-based adaptation and mitigation strategies
- Build leadership in research on lifelong impacts of nutrition
Continue to Focus on Groups Experiencing Disproportionate Impact
- Improved health of Indigenous populations
- Strengthen our work in Humanitarian health