Spotlighting Global Infectious Disease

HIV/AIDS

Before the widespread availability of anti-retroviral treatment in the early 2000s, approximately 45 million people had been infected with the HIV virus with 20 million dying of AIDS in the preceding 20 years.

New York City skyline at night with HIV ribbon projected onto building

The United Nations Secretariat Building in New York lit with the red AIDS ribbon to demonstrate the Organization’s commitment to the battle against HIV/AIDS. (UN Photo).

The 26th Special Session of the General Assembly held from from 25-27 June 2001 marked the first time a disease (HIV/AIDS) was discussed at the highest deliberation body in the world. The event marked a major milestone in the global response against HIV / AIDS.

Vaccination

2024 marked 50 years of the WHO-led Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). This global program, and its follow-on initiatives, is now considered to be one of the most effective public health interventions ever implemented.

Man holding infant while health care worker vaccinates infant

Global vaccination efforts are estimated to have averted 154 million deaths, including 146 million among children younger than 5 years of age. Vaccination has accounted for 40% of the observed decline in global infant mortality. For every death averted, 66 years of full health were gained on average, translating to 10·2 billion years of full health gained. (Lancet, May 2024)

World Health Organization’s Top Ten Threats to Global Health

In 2019, the WHO released a list of the top ten threats to global health of which six were infectious disease-related.
Infectious Disease-relatedNon-Infectious Disease-related
Global influenza pandemicAir pollution and climate change
Anti-microbial resistanceNon-communicable diseases
Ebola and high-threat pathogensFragile and vulnerable settings
Vaccine hesitancyWeak primary health care
Dengue
HIV

Global Infectious Disease Expanded

The ‘Global’ in Global Infectious Disease

  • Pertains to conditions that call for multi-national, cross border interventions and collaboration
  • Conditions that affect more than one country
  • Application of public health within a global/international context
  • Encompasses International health
  • Includes Infectious Disease challenges within a single country that could threaten other nations

The ‘Infectious Disease’ in Global Infectious Disease

  • Pertains to Infectious Diseases of Public Health concern at national, regional, and global level
  • Considers preventable, treatable, eliminable, eradicable, controllable conditions
  • Considers major threats to global health
  • Considers unique Infectious Diseases – tropical, emerging, and re-emerging
  • Considers conditions with Epidemic/ Pandemic potential
  • Considers infectious diseases with high fatality or serious complications