The Hill News

Amidst the cacophony of screaming partisanship in Washington, did you notice that strange sound emanating from the FY12 consolidated appropriations bill that President Obama signed on December 23? It was the quiet hum of bipartisan agreement, between the Congress and the administration, to sustain America’s commitment to saving and improving lives around the world. 

Despite real budget pressures, US investments in global health remain strong. This is good for American interests and smart for American jobs because healthy societies and consumers abroad represent the growth frontier for our economy.   

As the World Economic Forum kicks off this week in Davos, Switzerland, the importance of global health â€" and the health of the globe â€" is getting special attention.  The world’s still massive bottom of the economic pyramid â€" some 2-3 billion people â€" represents a potential $5 trillion in purchasing power. But many of them lack access to quality health care and services, even the most basic ability to plan their family sizes safely, and their global economic impact suffers.

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