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Global Health Security Capacity and Capability Measurement Framework Within the Biological Threat Reduction Program
Nino Kharaishvili1, Jane W Blake1, Douglas H Gorsline1
1Nino Kharaishvili, MD, MBA, is Director, Global Health Solutions, Jacobs, Arlington, VA. Jane W. Blake, MS, is Lead Associate, Global Defense Group, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lorton, VA. Douglas H. Gorsline, MA, is Division Chief for INDOPACOM, Biological Threat Reduction Program, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Department of Defense, Fort Belvoir, VA. Lance R. Brooks is Chief, Wide Area and Infrastructure Decontamination Branch, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park. NC.
The Biological Threat Reduction Program now uses a new framework to measure its effectiveness in partner countries. This approach focuses on improving biosafety, biosecurity, and biosurveillance capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Global health security
- Biosecurity and biosurveillance
- International cooperation in biological threat reduction
Background:
- The Biological Threat Reduction Program, established in 1991, operates under the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program.
- Congressional mandate requires regular public reporting for accountability.
- Previous program focus was on tangible outcomes like WMD asset elimination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel metrics and evaluation framework for the Biological Threat Reduction Program.
- To assess program impact and effectiveness in partner nations.
- To shift focus from tangible WMD elimination to capacity and capability strengthening.
Main Methods:
- Development of a comprehensive metrics and evaluation framework.
- Tracking impact across 24 specific biosafety, biosecurity, and biosurveillance metrics.
- Incorporation of indicators for human and animal health systems capacity, capability, sustainability, and regional leadership.
Main Results:
- The new framework measures program impact through quantitative and qualitative inputs.
- Measurement scores are generated for program investments in partner countries.
- A robust feedback loop is established for program management.
Conclusions:
- The new framework signifies a strategic shift towards capacity and capability enhancement.
- It provides a structured approach to measuring the effectiveness of biological threat reduction efforts.
- The framework supports continuous program improvement through integrated feedback mechanisms.
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