Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10STATE16776
2010-02-23 23:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 2010 SPECIAL HEALTH OBSERVANCE
how-toVZCZCXRO1397 PP RUEHIK DE RUEHC #6776/01 0542352 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 232348Z FEB 10 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY 2846
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 016776
SIPDIS, FOR ESTH OFFICERS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV AID TBIO SOCI
SUBJECT: MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 2010 SPECIAL HEALTH OBSERVANCE
DAYS
-------
STATE 00016776 001.2 OF 003
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 016776
SIPDIS, FOR ESTH OFFICERS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV AID TBIO SOCI
SUBJECT: MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 2010 SPECIAL HEALTH OBSERVANCE
DAYS
--------------
STATE 00016776 001.2 OF 003
SUMMARY
--------------
1. There are over one hundred special observance days,
months, and years that are celebrated world-wide to bring
attention to worthy causes including well known days such as
World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) and the lesser known, such as World
Rural Women's Day (Oct. 15). The Department has compiled a
list of health related special days that Environmental,
Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) and Public Diplomacy
Officers should consider supporting through programming events
in cooperation with other USG agencies at post (e.g. USAID,
HHS/CDC),host country health authorities, and local civil
society engaged in public health. Posts are encouraged to
support events, programming, and media appearances that
commemorate these dates and highlight the United States
commitment to a healthier world through global health
diplomacy. ESTH officers should take into account local
public health priorities as well as local culture and
standards when deciding which observance day(s) to support.
The Office of International Health and BioDefense (OES/IHB)
will send out reminder notices with talking points and
suggested activities for some of the days.
2. In addition to these particular days, some posts will
receive information on dates for polio immunization campaigns
in their host countries, and are urged to support these
campaigns through voluntary participation by post personnel or
other public diplomacy activities.
3. Celebrating special health observance days should be
linked where possible to the Administration's Global Health
Initiative (GHI); see paragraphs 6 and 14.
--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------
4. The United States, other countries, and the United Nations
celebrate special health days to raise global awareness on
public health issues of international interest and concern.
These days are organized to commemorate a special event,
promote awareness on a certain topic, or mobilize private and
public action. For posts, supporting observance of special
health days can be an important and useful public diplomacy
tool. This message contains a list of special health
observance days that the Department supports as particularly
significant and globally relevant. (There are many other
commemoration dates - a more complete list of days can be
found on the United Nations website at
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/Refere nce_Paper_No_47.d
oc.htm and/or the World Health Organization's list of annual
days it celebrates:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/ en/index.html.
--------------
HEALTH DIPLOMACY
--------------
5. The U.S. government sees improving public health and
health systems around the world as both a humanitarian and a
national security imperative. Better global health promotes
stability, growth, and development which can deter the spread
of extremism, ease pressure for migration, reduce the need for
humanitarian and development assistance and create
opportunities for stronger political alliances and economic
relations. Health diplomacy is an important element of
foreign policy that enhances U.S. and global security and
builds strong partnerships.
6. The Global Health Initiative (GHI) is a key element of
U.S. health diplomacy. The U.S. will invest $63 billion over
six years to help partner countries improve health outcomes
through strengthened health systems - with a particular focus
on improving the health of women, newborns and children
through programs including infectious diseases, nutrition,
maternal and child health, and safe water. Additional
information on the GHI is available in the Implementation of
the Global Health Initiative: Consultation Document, which can
be found at
http://www.pepfar.gov/documents/organization/ 136504.pdf.
7. Secretary Clinton has noted in numerous speeches the need
to increase America's "smart power." Health diplomacy is a
key part of our array of smart power diplomatic tools because
it enhances U.S. security and creates a positive image of the
United States around the world by improving the quality of
life in recipient countries. Observing and supporting World
Health Days is an important part of our health diplomacy tool
kit.
8. In one of her first speeches on Health Diplomacy, OES
Assistant Secretary Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones stated that "Health
Diplomacy emphasizes the integral relationship between two
traditional areas of national and international concern --
diplomacy and global health." She continued that "in earlier
times diplomacy had been predominantly focused on issues of
STATE 00016776 002.2 OF 003
political, military and commercial affairs, and global health
had been perhaps more narrowly included in a development
perspective - today the two areas have both broadened to
recognize the far greater expanse of health issues in foreign
policy and national security."
9. The Department asks posts to use their connections in
their local diplomatic communities and throughout their host
countries to promote global health days as part of a health
diplomacy strategy.
--------------
SUPPORT FOR HEALTH DAYS IN 2009
--------------
10. Global health days were widely celebrated in 2009 by
Posts in all geographic bureaus. For example, over 20 posts
participated in World Tuberculosis (TB) Day (March 24) events.
The creative and effective programming of some posts deserves
special mention:
11. In Ulaanbaatar the Medical Unit hosted a lecture for all
Embassy staff on both TB and HIV/AIDS. Outside the Embassy,
Post organized public presentations at the city library on
U.S. efforts to combat TB. In Abidjan, in addition to a Chief
of Mission Op-Ed on TB, the DCM delivered the keynote address
at the county's National World TB Day Celebration and she also
presented certificates to several NGOS who were honored for
their work in combating TB. At the same time in Dushanbe, the
Ambassador and the Tajik First Deputy Minister of Health
opened a TB Day awareness concert. In Gaborone the Embassy
co-hosted a one-day seminar on gender and TB which targeted
women working as home-based care officers, family welfare
educators, counselors and media practitioners. In Maputo,
staff used the Embassy's Facebook page to educate all of their
"Facebook friends" on TB.
12. Several other Missions participated in World TB Day
including Ashgabat, Bangkok, Montevideo, Bucharest, Phnom
Penh, Brasilia, Oslo, Kuwait City, Durban, Kabul, Djibouti,
Seoul, Moscow, Tallinn, Hanoi, Nouakchott, and London.
--------------
2010 CALENDAR
--------------
13. The special observance dates are listed below.
Department supported, health-related information and guidance
will be available for some of the days in the weeks preceding
their observance.
February
* 4 World Cancer Day
March
* 8 International Woman's Day
* 22 World Water Day
* 24 World Tuberculosis Day
April
* 7 World Health Day
* 22 Earth Day
* 25 World Malaria day
May
* 12 International Nurses Day
* 28 International Day of Action for Women's Health
* 31 World No Tobacco Day
September
* 5 World Environment Day
* 21 Alzheimer's Day
* The last Sunday is World Heart Day
October
* 10 World Mental Health Day
* 15 Global Handwashing Day
* 16 World Food Day
* 24 World Polio Day
November
* 2 World Pneumonia Day
* 14 World Diabetes Day
December
* 1 World AIDS Day
14. Post should incorporate the GHI framework where possible
when planning their programming for special health observance
days. For example, public outreach on days such as the
International Day of Action for Women's Health (May 28) should
reference the GHI's focus on improving maternal and child
health.
15. OES/IHB typically sends information and suggested action
cables on World Water Day, World Polio Day, and World
Tuberculosis day. In 2009 we also sent cables for World
Pneumonia Day. The Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator
generally sends a cable for World AIDS Day. The cables
typically have a background section, cleared talking points,
and suggested media-friendly activities. Posts are encouraged
to use these cables as primers for the topics and to promote
health diplomacy in their host countries. Regional
Environmental Hub officers are invited to compile data on
their regional activities and/or data on the health issue at
STATE 00016776 003.2 OF 003
hand. As always, we are interested in hearing about any
public outreach activities post has conducted and we would
like to highlight these activities in posts on the OES
website. For further information please contact Jehan Jones-
Radgowski (OES/IHB) (JonesJS2@state.gov) or OES public
outreach officer Alice Chu (OES/PO) (ChuAR@state.gov).
16. Minimize considered.
CLINTON
SIPDIS, FOR ESTH OFFICERS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV AID TBIO SOCI
SUBJECT: MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 2010 SPECIAL HEALTH OBSERVANCE
DAYS
--------------
STATE 00016776 001.2 OF 003
SUMMARY
--------------
1. There are over one hundred special observance days,
months, and years that are celebrated world-wide to bring
attention to worthy causes including well known days such as
World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) and the lesser known, such as World
Rural Women's Day (Oct. 15). The Department has compiled a
list of health related special days that Environmental,
Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) and Public Diplomacy
Officers should consider supporting through programming events
in cooperation with other USG agencies at post (e.g. USAID,
HHS/CDC),host country health authorities, and local civil
society engaged in public health. Posts are encouraged to
support events, programming, and media appearances that
commemorate these dates and highlight the United States
commitment to a healthier world through global health
diplomacy. ESTH officers should take into account local
public health priorities as well as local culture and
standards when deciding which observance day(s) to support.
The Office of International Health and BioDefense (OES/IHB)
will send out reminder notices with talking points and
suggested activities for some of the days.
2. In addition to these particular days, some posts will
receive information on dates for polio immunization campaigns
in their host countries, and are urged to support these
campaigns through voluntary participation by post personnel or
other public diplomacy activities.
3. Celebrating special health observance days should be
linked where possible to the Administration's Global Health
Initiative (GHI); see paragraphs 6 and 14.
--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------
4. The United States, other countries, and the United Nations
celebrate special health days to raise global awareness on
public health issues of international interest and concern.
These days are organized to commemorate a special event,
promote awareness on a certain topic, or mobilize private and
public action. For posts, supporting observance of special
health days can be an important and useful public diplomacy
tool. This message contains a list of special health
observance days that the Department supports as particularly
significant and globally relevant. (There are many other
commemoration dates - a more complete list of days can be
found on the United Nations website at
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/Refere nce_Paper_No_47.d
oc.htm and/or the World Health Organization's list of annual
days it celebrates:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/ en/index.html.
--------------
HEALTH DIPLOMACY
--------------
5. The U.S. government sees improving public health and
health systems around the world as both a humanitarian and a
national security imperative. Better global health promotes
stability, growth, and development which can deter the spread
of extremism, ease pressure for migration, reduce the need for
humanitarian and development assistance and create
opportunities for stronger political alliances and economic
relations. Health diplomacy is an important element of
foreign policy that enhances U.S. and global security and
builds strong partnerships.
6. The Global Health Initiative (GHI) is a key element of
U.S. health diplomacy. The U.S. will invest $63 billion over
six years to help partner countries improve health outcomes
through strengthened health systems - with a particular focus
on improving the health of women, newborns and children
through programs including infectious diseases, nutrition,
maternal and child health, and safe water. Additional
information on the GHI is available in the Implementation of
the Global Health Initiative: Consultation Document, which can
be found at
http://www.pepfar.gov/documents/organization/ 136504.pdf.
7. Secretary Clinton has noted in numerous speeches the need
to increase America's "smart power." Health diplomacy is a
key part of our array of smart power diplomatic tools because
it enhances U.S. security and creates a positive image of the
United States around the world by improving the quality of
life in recipient countries. Observing and supporting World
Health Days is an important part of our health diplomacy tool
kit.
8. In one of her first speeches on Health Diplomacy, OES
Assistant Secretary Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones stated that "Health
Diplomacy emphasizes the integral relationship between two
traditional areas of national and international concern --
diplomacy and global health." She continued that "in earlier
times diplomacy had been predominantly focused on issues of
STATE 00016776 002.2 OF 003
political, military and commercial affairs, and global health
had been perhaps more narrowly included in a development
perspective - today the two areas have both broadened to
recognize the far greater expanse of health issues in foreign
policy and national security."
9. The Department asks posts to use their connections in
their local diplomatic communities and throughout their host
countries to promote global health days as part of a health
diplomacy strategy.
--------------
SUPPORT FOR HEALTH DAYS IN 2009
--------------
10. Global health days were widely celebrated in 2009 by
Posts in all geographic bureaus. For example, over 20 posts
participated in World Tuberculosis (TB) Day (March 24) events.
The creative and effective programming of some posts deserves
special mention:
11. In Ulaanbaatar the Medical Unit hosted a lecture for all
Embassy staff on both TB and HIV/AIDS. Outside the Embassy,
Post organized public presentations at the city library on
U.S. efforts to combat TB. In Abidjan, in addition to a Chief
of Mission Op-Ed on TB, the DCM delivered the keynote address
at the county's National World TB Day Celebration and she also
presented certificates to several NGOS who were honored for
their work in combating TB. At the same time in Dushanbe, the
Ambassador and the Tajik First Deputy Minister of Health
opened a TB Day awareness concert. In Gaborone the Embassy
co-hosted a one-day seminar on gender and TB which targeted
women working as home-based care officers, family welfare
educators, counselors and media practitioners. In Maputo,
staff used the Embassy's Facebook page to educate all of their
"Facebook friends" on TB.
12. Several other Missions participated in World TB Day
including Ashgabat, Bangkok, Montevideo, Bucharest, Phnom
Penh, Brasilia, Oslo, Kuwait City, Durban, Kabul, Djibouti,
Seoul, Moscow, Tallinn, Hanoi, Nouakchott, and London.
--------------
2010 CALENDAR
--------------
13. The special observance dates are listed below.
Department supported, health-related information and guidance
will be available for some of the days in the weeks preceding
their observance.
February
* 4 World Cancer Day
March
* 8 International Woman's Day
* 22 World Water Day
* 24 World Tuberculosis Day
April
* 7 World Health Day
* 22 Earth Day
* 25 World Malaria day
May
* 12 International Nurses Day
* 28 International Day of Action for Women's Health
* 31 World No Tobacco Day
September
* 5 World Environment Day
* 21 Alzheimer's Day
* The last Sunday is World Heart Day
October
* 10 World Mental Health Day
* 15 Global Handwashing Day
* 16 World Food Day
* 24 World Polio Day
November
* 2 World Pneumonia Day
* 14 World Diabetes Day
December
* 1 World AIDS Day
14. Post should incorporate the GHI framework where possible
when planning their programming for special health observance
days. For example, public outreach on days such as the
International Day of Action for Women's Health (May 28) should
reference the GHI's focus on improving maternal and child
health.
15. OES/IHB typically sends information and suggested action
cables on World Water Day, World Polio Day, and World
Tuberculosis day. In 2009 we also sent cables for World
Pneumonia Day. The Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator
generally sends a cable for World AIDS Day. The cables
typically have a background section, cleared talking points,
and suggested media-friendly activities. Posts are encouraged
to use these cables as primers for the topics and to promote
health diplomacy in their host countries. Regional
Environmental Hub officers are invited to compile data on
their regional activities and/or data on the health issue at
STATE 00016776 003.2 OF 003
hand. As always, we are interested in hearing about any
public outreach activities post has conducted and we would
like to highlight these activities in posts on the OES
website. For further information please contact Jehan Jones-
Radgowski (OES/IHB) (JonesJS2@state.gov) or OES public
outreach officer Alice Chu (OES/PO) (ChuAR@state.gov).
16. Minimize considered.
CLINTON