Monkeypox: Policy Prescriptions on Managing the Next Global Health Crisis

On July 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox as a global health emergency of international concern. There are more than 16,800 cases across a number of economies, especially in the US, Canada, UK, across the Eurozone, Brazil, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Israel. Monkeypox spread is not as severe as COVID-19. Still, the WHO recommends governments engage and protect affected communities, intensify surveillance and public-health measures, and accelerate research into the use of vaccines and treatments. 

The monkeypox emergency is occurring while the number of cases of COVID-19, fueled by the more transmissible Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, is currently rising sharply in many countries, including the US. 

A public health emergency, whether it be a new and dangerous pandemic variant or subvariant of COVID-19, a severe influenza season this winter, or a new global public health emergency such as monkeypox, can severely impact economic growth and, consequently, even further impact the public’s well-being. It is important for governments and businesses to learn from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, and, first and foremost, avoid a comprehensive lockdown of national economies. Extreme damage to the economy and protection of public health hinge on public-private partnerships. We provide 15 policy recommendations for managing the next public health emergency. 

1. Determine essential businesses
2. Determine business plans for future disruptions
3. Expand monitoring for new diseases and future variants, including a public-private global bio surveillance network using genomic sequencing
4. Build/Rebuild strategic national stockpiles of critical goods and materials
5. Support and reform general government health agencies
6. Build a national network of precise, uniform accurate data
7. Expand further the use of private sector distribution and dispensing systems for vaccines and treatments
8. Invest in life science R&D
9. Regulatory reform
10. Regional hospital coordination/post-acute care
11. Rebuild and revitalize the health care workforce
12. Develop a national clinical trial structure
13. Restore and maintain trust in public health
14. Increase international cooperation on distribution of vaccines and treatments, while protecting intellectual property
15. Establish an independent commission to focus on forward-looking solutions 

For a deeper dive into these policy prescriptions see Preparing for the Next Public Health Crisis: Lessons from the Pandemic or watch the webcast.