Global health and national security: How soldiers and scientists can work together to advance international health advocacy

The United States currently dedicates less than 1% of our national budget to life-saving foreign aid—including critical global health initiatives. Yet research shows that poverty-focused foreign aid can help promote peace and national security. Oxfam America is building innovative partnerships with national security allies to educate key policy makers and the American public about how foreign aid can help prevent conflict and build peace worldwide. This presentation will discuss research and advocacy connecting foreign aid investment to peace and security. The goal is to provide global health activists with new tools to connect soldiers and scientists for innovative, effective global health advocacy.

Foreign Aid and National Security Research: This presentation will synthesize research by Oxfam and the Center for Naval Affairs, data from Quadrennial Defense Reviews and other sources to examine the national security implications of international health challenges like climate change, global food security and humanitarian emergencies.

Joint Foreign Aid and National Security Policy Advocacy: This presentation will then outline Oxfam's strategy for engaging key national security organizations and leaders in advocacy around strong US foreign aid policy and investment. It will discuss Oxfam's overall national security organizing strategy as well as tactics like trainings, lobby days, and in state outreach. This will provide a roadmap to public health practitioners interested in bringing scientific and military perspectives together to advocate for increased foreign aid and global health investment.