The Task Force for Global Health

The Task Force for Global Health was founded by public health pioneer and former CDC Director Bill Foege in 1985. Established as the Task Force for Child Survival, Dr. Foege was solicited as a neutral convener to help four global health organizations in the quest to improve childhood immunization rates in Africa. Our mission has expanded beyond Child Survival over the last 27 years with new programs and initiatives to improve global health for the bottom billion. Today, The Task Force for Global Health continues in that role of neutral convener, staying behind the scenes and putting our partner organizations in the spotlight.

Our operating structure is comprised of the primary non-profit organization, The Task Force for Global Health (the Task Force), and a non-profit subsidiary of the Task Force, Global Health Solutions (GHS). Both the Task Force and GHS are recognized non profit 501 (c) 3 organizations.

The Task Force has been involved in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) for nearly 25 years, beginning with the Mectizan Donation Program and our partnership with Merck in 1987. Our work in the NTD sector focuses on the treatment, prevention, and elimination of widespread and disabling tropical infectious diseases in poor communities throughout Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Also the Task Force established the Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center (NTD-SC) in early 2013, with funding from the Gates Foundation. The NTD-SC will collaborate with the NTD community to address priority research gaps.