Building Public Health Coalitions
Partnerships are a key of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ approach in every program area. As an international public health leader, Mike Bloomberg helps to convene partners from around the world to take on major challenges to public health — including by serving as the World Health Organization’s Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases. In this role, he works to draw attention to and rally efforts to address the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) — chronic, noninfectious health conditions like cancer, asthma, and diabetes. NCDs cause more than two-thirds of deaths in low- and middle-income countries, but they receive only 1% of global public health funding. Bloomberg Philanthropies has launched a wide array of partnerships and initiatives to spread effective strategies to improve health, advocate for smart policies, and reduce preventable deaths.
Partnership for Healthy Cities
In 2017, as part of his role as the World Health Organization Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries — and in collaboration with the World Health Organization and Vital Strategies — Mike Bloomberg launched the Partnership for Healthy Cities. The partnership brings together 74 cities that have agreed to implement at least one proven policy to fight NCDs and injuries, increase awareness, and share best practices. In 2020, the partnership quickly pivoted to focus on the coronavirus and is offering city leaders resources to help them take action and save lives.
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Global Health Advocacy Incubator
The Global Health Advocacy Incubator provides advocacy support and training to help organizations drive policy change. Bringing critical issues to the attention of governments and the public, it garners attention and support for key public health issues, identifies promising advocates, and provides training around effective policy change.
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Task Force on Fiscal Policy for Health
The Task Force on Fiscal Policy for Health was convened in 2018 to address the growing global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Co-chaired by Mike Bloomberg, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, and economist Larry Summers, the Task Force unites senior fiscal policy, development, and health leaders from around the world to help countries use fiscal policies — including excise taxes — to improve public health and strengthen economies.
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Top photo: The city of São Paulo, a member of the Partnership for Healthy Cities, evaluates the effectiveness of communication campaigns encouraging the use of helmets.