The main commentary in this issue of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness is provided by Frederick “Skip” Burkle, MD, who discusses a topic of increasing importance—the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Emergency Workforce—but also addresses what has been an elusive goal, the development of an integrated, standardized, and effective response to large-scale events that overwhelm the capacity and capability of affected nations. In a world of sovereign states and greatly disparate public health and health care systems, such a development is a critical step in the evolution and achievement of a Global Health and Global Health Security process that is cooperative, collaboratie, effective and efficient.

For any reader of our journal, this continual evolution toward commonality, quality, and standardization is well reflected in the breadth and diversity of papers appearing in recent issues as compared to previous years. The current issue not only demonstrates this trend but also clearly shows the interdependencies between sovereign nations in dealing with historic and emerging threats to the physical, emotional, economic, and social health of their populations. It is also quite evident from the literature that to be successful in achieving global health security, all phases of the disaster cycle must be addressed. Although our focus is primarily health, it is essential that we recognize the need for the integration of all sectors and disciplines if we are to optimize outcomes.

In this context, the WHO Global Health Emergency Workforce is a critical initiative but should not be considered an end in and of itself and/or wholly sufficient. The WHO initiative, if successful, will provide a critical and necessary building block upon which to build an overall and integrated system. DMPHP for its part will provide an open forum for the discussion and consideration of such initiatives with the objective of influencing national policies that are supportive of such undertakings, not only in the United States, but globally. We must all realize we are citizens of earth.

More in-depth examination of the WHO Global Health Workforce initiative will take place at our annual meeting in July to include operationalizing the concept by Israel and by Team Rubicon here in the United States. A thorough discussion of the pros and cons to the WHO approach is necessary if we are to support policies that guarantee to the extent possible an integrated, professional global response in support of a global population. Please join us in Rockville, Maryland, in July to be an active participant in these efforts.

Health care worker in personal protective equipment during a training exercise in a mock Ebola treatment unit. Photo credit: CDC/Cleopatra Adedeji, RRT, BSRT

Two training curricula featured in this issue. Photo credit: CDC.

Chlorine gas “fire diamond.”

Emergency department research featured in this issue. Photo credit: CDC.