On Thursday, June 27th, global public health leaders came together to celebrate the official launch of our organization, Vital Strategies.
In an event hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Vital Strategies’ leadership outlined how the organization employs its expertise in communication, epidemiology, research and advocacy to tackle public health issues and promote best practice policies around the world.
In his remarks, José Luis Castro, President and CEO of Vital Strategies, expressed excitement for the work ahead, and appreciation for the partner organizations that Vital Strategies has worked with to improve the quality of life of people around the world.
“We are so thrilled that Bloomberg Philanthropies has been a steadfast partner, sharing in our vision of a world with strong public health systems, and one where countries are committed to helping people – often the poorest and most vulnerable – live longer and healthier lives.
Vital Strategies focuses on five program areas in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies including tobacco control, road safety, data for health, maternal health and obesity prevention. A sixth program area – a clinical trial to evaluate shorter drug treatments for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis – is supported by the United States Agency for International Development.
Vital Strategies grew out of the recent joining of World Lung Foundation and The Union North America, combining the specific expertise of each organization in order to effect lasting change in lung disease, its legacy issue, and in critical companion areas of public health.
As we move forward, Vital Strategies will confront some of the most intractable public health problems of our time. However, as Castro went on to note, “we thrive on complexity and enjoy the challenge of working on tough issues and in places where change seems impossible.”