The Task Force for Global Health is an independent, nongovernmental organization based in Decatur, GA, USA, with field offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Islamabad, Pakistan. We solve large-scale health problems affecting vulnerable populations. Our 13 programs focus on controlling, eliminating, and eradicating debilitating diseases, and strengthening systems that address the broader health needs of populations.
We are the top nonprofit in the United States for the total amount of in-kind donations that we receive each year from pharmaceutical companies to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Since our founding, we have also positively affected a broad range of global health problems. Our contributions include:
Raising childhood immunization rates in developing countries from 20 to 80 percent from 1984 to 1990;
Managing significant donations of medicines from pharmaceutical companies annually for the elimination of three NTDs – trachoma, river blindness, and lymphatic filariasis;
Helping increase access to treatment for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis for the world’s poor;
Supporting the design and implementation of strong immunization records systems in the United States;
Managing the largest disease mapping project ever undertaken, the Global Trachoma Mapping Project, using a smartphone-based application that we developed called LINKS;
Supporting the simultaneous global “switch” of the type of oral polio vaccine used in routine immunizations, which is a vital step in eradicating polio;
Developing a comprehensive integrated strategy for cholera prevention and control that is being used to fight the disease globally;
Strengthening U.S. preparedness to respond to disease outbreaks by guiding the automation of public health laboratories;
Focusing international attention on the importance of collaboration and compassion in global health.
The Task Force Platform
Our programs share a common collaborative approach originally pioneered to eradicate smallpox. The Task Force serves as the secretariat or administrative hub for eight major global health coalitions working to address a variety of large-scale health problems.
The Task Force provides administrative, financial, and human resources services needed for programmatic success. The Task Force also plays essential convening roles for the programs and helps them advocate to funders and partners.
As an Emory University affiliate, we benefit from the close association with a leading academic institution. All of our team members are Emory University employees.
Through our partnerships, we reach hundreds of millions of people in 157 countries. For more about our work, visit Our Work and Impact.
WHY ARE WE CALLED THE TASK FORCE?
The Task Force was founded in 1984 to bring together the world’s leading health and development agencies to improve childhood immunization rates in developing countries. Within six years, this group raised these rates from 20 to 80 percent. Our ability to forge effective partnerships, as well as our scientific expertise, have enabled us to expand our work to focus on an array of large-scale health problems affecting vulnerable populations.
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