Statement by Bill Gates on the Report of the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health

SEATTLE -- The Commission's report is critically important.  It documents the close linkage between improved health and economic development as fundamental and even stronger than economists previously believed.  The report brings much-needed focus to the topic of global health policy and highlights the urgent need to increase funding.  It clearly demonstrates that both donor nations and developing nations have vital roles to play to bridge the tremendous inequity that exists in access to lifesaving advances in health and medicine.

 

There is reason to be optimistic.  We are beginning to see the confluence of science, financial resources and political determination to prevent the spread of infectious disease, and it is my hope that this report will accelerate the process, and save lives in doing so.

 

It is simply wrong that many millions of people – mostly children – die needlessly every year from poor health conditions.  The commission's study provides further evidence that investing in health is the surest way to build growing, stable economies.  We can and we must do more.

 

This report is part of a growing consensus that increasing developmental assistance is key to combating the enormous challenges of improving global health.  Former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo recently chaired a United Nations panel that also addressed this issue in a compelling way.

 

What is needed now is for the architects of these important efforts to join together along with leaders of the public, private and nonprofit sectors in a worldwide effort to urge greater investment in health and health spending.

 

Our foundation will continue to do its part to support the report's recommendations, as we work to help stop HIV/AIDS, combat vaccine-preventable diseases, and improve reproductive and child health in the developing world.  I hope the report serves as a wake-up call to the rest of the world to take action immediately.

 

Melinda and I applaud the Commission's distinguished members including Jeffrey Sachs, the Commission's chairman; and Dr. Brundtland, Director-General of WHO, for their leadership in bringing this important work forward.