Health Systems Strengthening

"When we strengthen health systems in far regions of the world, we reduce the risk of future pandemics that can threaten our people and our economy.” - President Joseph R. Biden

A health system consists of all people, institutions, resources, and activities whose primary purpose is to promote, restore, and maintain health. Health System Strengthening comprises the strategies, responses, and activities that are designed to sustainably improve country health system performance.

USAID invests in health system strengthening because strong health systems underpin all other health investments and lead to greater resilience and global health security. Strong health systems are necessary for all people to achieve access to quality health care, and to align resources for achieving sustainable improvements in health and for countries’ economic growth.

This work helps USAID reach our three priority global health goals of Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths, Controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and Combating Infectious Disease, which directly contributes to the Global Health Security Agenda.

Learn more about our approach to strengthen health systems through our Vision for Health System Strengthening 2030 and how our work supports more sustainable and robust results in these areas:

Building an Evidence Base

Changing Health Seeking Behavior

Combating Antimicrobial Resistance

Enabling a Health Workforce

Fostering Country Ownership

Health Finance

Improving Health System Quality

Promoting Resilience

Strengthening Community Health Systems

Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems

 

Learn more about our health systems strengthening work: