Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2009

Advisor

Cristina Redko

Abstract

Due to a potential, worldwide adverse impact on health, transnational dependencies, and the need for effective response, global cooperation is imperative (Buchanan & Decamp, 2006). There are more than 100 global health agencies, including the World Health Organization. As the number of organizations increases, each with their own agendas, so does the concern for lack of coherence and collaboration among organizations in the effort of disease eradication and development of health systems (Beaglehole & Bonita, 2008). The focus of this study is on comparing the effectiveness of selected global health organizations in efforts to detect a need to either establish more similar type organizations or make current ones more efficient. The selected organizations are compared by their programs addressing Millennium Development Goals (MDG) #4, #5, and #6, strategic goals, measurable and reported outcomes, countries supported, and funding mechanisms. The results signify that while MDGs are addressed, there are major issues with accountability, mainly commitment through monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of programs. While the global health system is seen as a loose and fluid agglomeration with multiple, shifting centers of influence (Cerrell et al., 2007), the greatest need is to develop efficient M&E systems in existing organizations. Secondary actions should address additions of medical branches to long standing global health organizations leading to higher participation from medical students and health professionals, and the re-allocation of government funding from non-productive organizations to establish a Global Health Corps, which could be the first global health organization to implement such effective M&E systems.

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