Strengthening Regional Approaches to Health Emergencies for a New Global Health Architecture
Strengthening Regional Capacities to Respond to Health Emergencies: A Qualitative Study
The AHF Global Public Health Institute,
in collaboration with the University of Miami Public
Health Policy Lab, is conducting a qualitative study
to explore strategies to enhance the capacity and
effectiveness of regional health institutions. Through
the guidance of global health experts and leading
thinkers in the field, the study aims to identify
barriers and opportunities for effective collaboration
to improve regional health policy, governance,
and finance.
A New Global Health Architecture Summit
Research findings will be used to develop actionable,
evidence-based recommendations to support the
strengthening of sustainable, coordinated, and
inclusive regional health systems. These
recommendations will be presented at an
international summit hosted by AHF at the end of
2025. During the summit, expert and thought leaders
will have an opportunity to exchange ideas and
contribute to strengthen regional capacities to
respond to health emergencies for a new global
health architecture.
Establishing a Latin American CDC
Latin America, significantly impacted by global health
crises like COVID-19, needs a more coordinated
response system. Despite having only 8.2% of the
world’s population, the region reported 80 million
COVID-19 cases and 1.7 million deaths. Fragmented
national responses and a lack of regional cooperation
exacerbated these challenges. Research and analysis
have highlighted the urgent need for better
coordination among public health responses in the
region.
The AHF Global Public Health Institute for Latin
America and the Caribbean has been working with
academic Institutions and public health experts on
proposals that can strengthen the regional health.
These collaborations led to the publication of Why
Latin America needs a regional Centre for Disease
Control and Prevention, in The Lancet. The proposed
LATAM CDC would be established to facilitate
cooperation among countries, improve disease
surveillance, and standardize public health practices.
Involving diverse stakeholders from governments to
civil society, a LATAM CDC would strengthen health
systems and ensure timely responses to health
emergencies, ultimately safeguarding public health
across the region.