Global Health Security Risk Assessment in the Biological Threat Reduction Program

Area of Science:

• Global Health Security
• Biodefense
• Public Health Preparedness

Background:

• Biological threats pose risks to global health security.
• Existing systems for biosurveillance, biosafety, and biosecurity require robust assessment.
• Standardized tools are needed to evaluate national capacities for managing biological risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and describe the country assessment tool developed by the Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP).
• To outline the tool's utility in assessing national and subnational public health and veterinary systems.
• To highlight the tool's role in standardizing program planning and measuring partner country capacities.

Main Methods:

• A multisectoral, multidisciplinary team of 8 subject matter experts leads the assessment.
• Utilizes a combination of document reviews, interviews (individual and focus groups), and in-person evaluations.
• Assesses public health and veterinary systems at both national and subnational levels.

Main Results:

• The tool has been implemented in over 25 countries to establish baseline health security risk landscapes.
• Provides a standardized method for evaluating a country's vulnerability to weaponizable pathogen release.
• Facilitates the identification and prioritization of risk mitigation and management activities.

Conclusions:

• The country assessment tool is a valuable instrument for enhancing global health security.
• It supports quantitative metrics for measuring partner country capacities and capabilities.
• The tool aids in the systematic evaluation and improvement of biosurveillance, biosafety, and biosecurity systems worldwide.