Leveraging the US Laboratory Response Network Model to Develop the African Public Health Laboratory Network

In February 2014, the United States released the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), a multilateral, multi-agency effort to create a world safer and more secure from infectious diseases and emerging threats. This five year venture commits at least 30 partner countries, including the U.S., to work toward nine specific objectives to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases. As the U.S. moves forward with specific objectives, it will be crucial to assess what resources are currently in place and understand how to better leverage those.

This session will focus on the laboratory aspect of global health security and how building and sustaining laboratory infrastructure and capacity are critical for assuring preparation for, detection of, and rapid response to emerging threats. Specifically, attendees will learn about both the domestic and international public health laboratory systems and their roles in preparing for and responding to a variety of public health events, including Ebola. Presenters will discuss current domestic resources that can be utilized to advance the mission and objectives of the GHSA. These include standardized laboratory network models, such as that of the Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats Preparedness (LRN-B) and its associated characteristics and twinning, which is a mentorship initiative where an international laboratory is paired with a US domestic laboratory to encourage information transfer and mentoring.

This session will provide a thorough overview of the work public health laboratories do both domestically and internationally to ensure a world safer from infectious diseases and emerging threats. Additionally, the session will show attendees how US domestic laboratories are not only assets for the safety of the U.S. but also models for international laboratories and a critical asset of any health systems strengthening initiatives.