On Monday November 9, 2009, Meridian International Center brought together government leaders, diplomats, policymakers, scientists, and public health officials in two roundtable discussions on international collaborative efforts and the public health, economic, and national security issues surrounding H1N1.

This two-part Meridian Roundtable discussion was moderated by distinguished global health expert and the Director of Meridian’s Global Health Program Rear Admiral Susan Blumenthal, M.D.

The first session, Global H1N1 Pandemic Update focused on the immediate state of the H1N1 global pandemic, how the disease might continue to spread this fall and winter, and possible obstacles to an effective international response. Participating international health leaders included:

Mr. Bernard Merkel, Minister Counselor and Head of Food Safety, Health and Consumer Affairs – European Commission Delegation;

Dr. Carole Heilman, Director of the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); and

Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), University of Minnesota.

In the second session, Accelerating Solutions: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Responding to Pandemics, the panel addressed the international response to the pandemic, examined the development and distribution of medicines and vaccines, and explored innovative public-private partnerships that are developing collaborative, global solutions to respond to H1N1 and other diseases. Participating experts included:

Ambassador John Lange, Senior Program Officer for Developing-Country Policy & Advocacy, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and former Special Representative on Avian and Pandemic Influenza, U.S. Department of State;

Michael McGuire, Vice President for Anti-Infectives, Roche;

Dr. Octavio F. Pinheiro de Olivia, Advisor on Viral Diseases, Department of Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention & Control – PAHO; and

Mr. Greg Rotz, Partner, Global Health Practice – Booz and Company

About Meridian International Center’s Global Health Program

Meridian’s Global Health Program is a key cross-cutting initiative of the Meridian International Center that includes world affairs public briefings and conferences, U.S. State Department International Visitor Leadership Programs, and arts and cultural activities. The program builds on Meridian’s 50-year history of facilitating international exchange and cooperation on critical issues. In today’s deeply interconnected world, global health concerns transcend national boundaries, and require international cooperation to achieve common solutions. The quest for good health crosses cultures, politics, languages, and country borders, providing a framework for promoting international cooperation, exchange and progress. Today, 79% of people suffering from chronic diseases are found in the developing world, and the World Health Organization has reported 1,100 epidemics in the last five years alone. These problems have humanitarian, economic and national security implications that impact all nations.