Marian W. Wentworth

President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Friends,

We began 2021 by reflecting on our 50-year history and the extraordinary global health progress that MSH has had the privilege of contributing to over the past half century. I feel proud to lead an organization with such a remarkable history, worthy mission, and donors and partners who wholeheartedly believe health for all is possible, despite the incredible challenges we face. Through the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia; the earthquake that rocked Haiti last August; the Taliban taking control of Afghanistan; Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; and, of course, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the MSH team has shown resilience and determination, ensuring that essential health services continue and advocating for changes to improve health now and into the future.

Inspired by the promise that our work has shown to be possible—that everyone can lead a healthy and productive life—we look to the next 50 years.

How can we take the most valuable lessons from half a century of public health work into our daily efforts to strengthen health systems to promote UHC, improve health outcomes, stamp out inequities, and be better prepared for the next epidemic?

As you’ll see in the 2021 annual report, the lessons from the past year point to a few areas. We need to treat individuals and their families as equal partners in health care, putting them at the center of our every decision from service design to delivery. Nowhere is this more evident than in the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines around the world. We must plan for consumer involvement well before a new vaccine is available so that the demand is there when a new product hits the market.

We must redouble our efforts to strengthen health systems, particularly primary care, which the pandemic has shown to be as essential as it is complex—and an integral part of every country’s journey to UHC. Increasing the size and strength of the health care workforce is key to bolstering primary health care.

National public health institutes have a critical role to play. We must help increase their capabilities and their credibility. Among the many things that come with that is the need to improve data management, particularly building interoperable systems and standardizing data collection tools.

Lastly, we must continue to insist on greater accountability for public health in the private sector. As the pandemic has shown, businesses make indispensable contributions to health and have a direct impact on health conditions, particularly among their employees. Businesses must be held more accountable for their significant impact on public health.

MSH is crafting a vision for the future that will guide our work in a world that is increasingly complex. Though the journey ahead will present challenges, we remain inspired by our partners, our staff, and our donors who share our dream to build a healthy and more equitable future for all.

Thank you,