Congress Evaluates Pandemic Preparedness Strategies

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that countries must prepare for a pandemic potentially worse than COVID-19, citing significant gaps in the surveillance of pathogens that could emerge from animals. Dr. Maria van Kerkhove emphasized the need for improved monitoring and consistent funding for global health, lamenting that resources are often diverted to military spending instead. In the U.S., lawmakers held a final hearing on pandemic preparedness where public health officials acknowledged past failures and the need for reform within agencies like the CDC, NIH, and FDA to rebuild public trust. Representatives criticized the lack of transparency and accountability during the COVID-19 response, stressing the importance of adapting strategies based on new information. Health officials highlighted the ongoing threats from infectious diseases and the necessity of international collaboration to prevent future outbreaks. The committee plans to release a comprehensive report with recommendations to enhance the public health response in light of the lessons learned from the pandemic.