Public HealthResponding to COVID-19

Combating the devastating health and economic impact of COVID-19 in local communities around the world

Bloomberg Philanthropies helped public health professionals, local leaders, and partner organizations accelerate the fight against COVID-19. Our multi-pronged response included immediate support in African and at-risk low- and middle-income countries, a robust platform of resources for mayors and other local leaders, and support for social services and cultural organizations in the communities where our team lives and works.

COVID-19 Local Response Initiative

Working with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, United States Conference of Mayors, and others, Bloomberg Philanthropies supported mayors and other local leaders with tools and guidance to help manage the crisis and protect the social and economic well-being of their communities. This included ongoing technical assistance, coaching, and access to critical public health information. Bloomberg Philanthropies also partnered with the State of New York to establish an extensive contact tracing effort with the support and expertise of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

COVID-19 Global Response Initiative

Working with our partners Vital Strategies and Resolve to Save Lives, the World Health Organization, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, we focused on preventing or slowing the spread of COVID-19 in African and at-risk low- and middle-income countries.

For the PPE training, trainees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia are putting on PPE equipment. — For the PPE training, trainees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia were drawn from different health professional associations and health facilities to be taught proper PPE use. Photo credit: Tewodros Emiru/Resolve to Save Lives

Investing in Our Local Communities

Bloomberg Philanthropies is committed to supporting the communities we live and work in. In New York and London, we helped establish funds to support cultural and social service nonprofits affected by the pandemic and donated thousands of masks to local hospitals. We also partnered with the World Central Kitchen to provide more than one million meals to more than 30,000 health care workers on the front lines of COVID-19 in New York City.

A young girl plays at a Fresh Air Fund Summer Space event in Jackson Heights, New York. — This partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies and Fresh Air Fund Summer Space represents an investment in shaping the future of New York City by addressing the lack of appealing options for children to play outdoors safely and for young New Yorkers to gain valuable work experience and earn income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured above is Jackson Heights, New York.

Investing in Potential COVID-19 Treatments

Bloomberg Philanthropies funded cutting-edge research into potential treatments.

Johns Hopkins University 2020 COVID-19 Research Technologist Kirsten Littlefield conducts research in the lab of Dr. Andy Pekosz at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Photo credit: Will Kirk/Johns Hopkins University

Resources for Cities

Bloomberg Philanthropies and our partners are supporting cities and local leaders with tools and guidance to help manage the impacts of COVID-19. These resources include guidance on navigating federal aid, addressing homelessness and responding to evolving transportation needs during the pandemic, and a contact tracing playbook and curriculum.

Johns Hopkins University coronavirus dashboard map has become a go-to source of the most up-to-date data for media, public health leaders, government officials, and the general public. Photo credit: Will Kirk/Johns Hopkins University

Top photo: World Central Kitchen and Bloomberg Philanthropies have teamed up to feed hospital staff at Queens Hospital Center in Jamaica, NY. Doctors and nurses line up to bring meals to their departments.