Interagency health operations essential to national security

In a recent interview, Dr. Charles Beadling, director of the Department of Defense Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine, stated that global health operations have an important role in U.S. national security. “We do feel that there is a strong link between global health engagement and security,” said Beadling, who noted that such efforts reduce insurgency and terrorism.

The Center focuses on the development end of the “three Ds” – diplomacy, defense, and development – and operates under the premise that health is “a global common good.” The Center has partnered with U.S. Africa Command on many global health engagements, which include capacity and capability building missions, as well as hosting workshops and exercises to test preparedness.

Beadling also said that while the Center is still in its early stages of development, it is imperative that they work in close coordination with the U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, the United Nations, and nongovernmental organizations to achieve the Center’s mission.

The Center’s Emergency Management and Preparedness Program was implemented in Mozambique, the first country to join the program as a partner, in December 2012. Other recent health engagements include Operation Pacific Angel and a conference in Ghana. Operation Pacific Angel brought U.S. and Australian air force personnel, Nepalese army personnel, and other individuals together to provide medical treatment in Nepal and surrounding countries.

For more information about this Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine, please follow the link below.
Doctor Outlines Global Health’s Tie to Security Operations, Military Health System, Department of Defense