Facing the Challenges of a New Millennium: Public Health beyond Borders

At the beginning of the 20th century the leading causes of morbidity and mortality were diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid and influenza. In fact during the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 more people died than during World War I. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. It was ultimately due to the vigilance, hard work and dedication of an active and engaged public health workforce working in cooperation with multiple agencies that brought an end to this devastating threat.

Now at the advent of the 21st century, public health faces a new array of challenges. The leading causes of morbidity and mortality today are chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer stroke and diabetes. The events of September 11, 2001 and the inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina have demonstrated that we are ill prepared to effectively deal with emergencies on such a scale. Our borders have become porous and people now travel from state to state and country to country in less and less time, which makes the potential for future pandemics as well as the emergence of other viruses and bacteria both drug sensitive and resistant all the more real.

Our evolving and emerging public health response must be tailored to fit the public health demands of 21st century. We must adapt the principles of Public Health to make them relevant to the challenges that we currently face and prepare ourselves to respond in a timely and effective manner. For ultimately public health, like the people it has chosen to serve, must exist in the context of its times.

This expert panel will explore the challenges facing public health and offer strategies for building effective partnerships and collaborations across traditional borders (local, regional, national and international) that result in the efficient and effective provision of services and the development for programs and projects that lead to an improved quality of life for all.