Who We Are
We take on big problems.
We have real impact.
We are a global health nonprofit working with partners in more than 150 countries so that all people can achieve their full potential.
Our Vision, Mission, Approach and Values
Vision
We envision a world in which everyone has the opportunity to lead healthy lives free from preventable suffering, disability and death.
Mission
We address the world’s most serious and pressing threats to global health and strengthen the systems that protect and promote health.
Approach
Our Core Values:
- Collaboration – We believe that partnerships are essential, and that organizations working together have a much greater impact.
- Global Health Equity and Social Justice – We work to provide all people with opportunities to lead healthy, productive lives.
- Stewardship – We pride ourselves in the wise and judicious management of the resources entrusted to us.
- Consequential Compassion – We link compassion to effective actions by being aware of the suffering of others, understanding the causes of that suffering, and engaging in informed actions to alleviate it.
Achievement Highlights
We helped raise childhood immunization rates in developing countries from 20 to 80 percent in 6 years -- from 1984 (the year we we were founded) to 1990.
Managing billions of dollars worth of medicines from pharmaceutical companies annually for the elimination of three NTDs – trachoma, river blindness, and lymphatic filariasis.
Leading a new approach that allows health care providers in the United States to automatically send information about reportable diseases to public health agencies using an innovative electronic method.
Managing the largest disease mapping project ever undertaken, the Global Trachoma Mapping Project, using a smartphone-based application 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.
Supporting the design and implementation of strong immunization record systems in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accordion Content
Our programs share a common collaborative approach originally pioneered to eradicate smallpox. The Task Force serves as the secretariat or administrative hub for 12 major global health coalitions, networks, and partnerships 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.
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.
Through our alliances, we reach hundreds of millions of people in 150+ countries. Learn more about how powerful partnerships make for powerful results.
This partnership has strengthened Atlanta’s global health ecosystem through knowledge exchange, academic engagement, and community impact. Task Force experts contribute to teaching and mentorship at the Rollins School of Public Health, collaborate on research and funding, and help shape academic programs and public engagement initiatives.
As an Emory University affiliate, we operate similarly to the Carter Center by utilizing the university’s human resources infrastructure. All Task Force team members are Emory University employees, our job opportunities are managed through the university’s career portal, and Emory supports all other HR-related activities. This is the only direct affiliation with the university.
The definition of the term ‘task force’ is a group specifically organized to solve a task. Originally called The Task Force for Child Survival, we were specifically brought together in 1984 to solve one task: improving childhood immunization rates in developing countries. To achieve this, we brought together the world’s leading health and development agencies, and within six years, this group raised immunization rates from 20 to 80 percent. Due to the success of solving this ‘task,’ over time, we have been specifically sought out to solve certain global health tasks. We altered our name to The Task Force for Global Health in order to encompass the breadth of tasks that we address.
Who is our Co-Founder, William H. Foege, MD, MPH?
William H. Foege, MD, MPH, is the inspiration behind the work we do. An epidemiologist by training, he was one of the architects of the successful smallpox eradication effort in the 1970s, which is still the only disease to be eradicated in humanity. In 2012, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
Dr. Foege was Chief of the CDC Smallpox Eradication Program and was appointed director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1977. In 1984, Dr. Foege co-founded The Task Force for Child Survival (now called The Task Force for Global Health), heading up the effort to increase global child immunization rates.
Dr. Foege served The Carter Center from 1986-1992 as its Executive Director. Between 1992-1999, he contributed to the Carter Center’s work as a Fellow but also as the President and CEO of The Task Force for Global Health (which was then called The Task Force for Child Survival and was based at the Carter Center at the time).
Between 1999-2001, Dr. Foege also served as Senior Medical Advisor for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. During his time with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he became a close friend and mentor to the Gateses. Dr. Foege passed away on January 24 at the age of 89. Learn more about his life and legacy.
Bill Gates pays tribute to his mentor, global health giant and Task Force co-founder, Dr. Foege.
The "Other" Bill:
Co-Founder William C. Watson Jr.
William C. Watson Jr. co-founded The Task Force along with Dr. Foege. As Deputy Director, Watson was the operations man behind the vision for The Task Force, which was created initially to increase global childhood immunization rates. Both former CDC employees and often called “the Two Bills,” Dr. Watson and Dr. Foege held their first Task Force staff meeting, along with former CDC employee Carol Walters, around Dr. Watson’s kitchen table.
Dr. Watson was a Prisoner of War in World War II which led him to public health. He was one of the CDC’s first Public Health Advisor and the CDC has since then honored his career by naming their highest honor, the William C. Watson Jr. Medal of Excellence. Learn more about Dr. Watson’s contributions to improving the health of people worldwide here.
Latest News
Deworming efforts reach five billion doses as new coalition promises further progress
Global deworming efforts have reached a new, unprecedented milestone: more than five billion deworming tablets have been delivered to children around the world. These donated
Task Force Elevates Hepatitis, Malaria, and NTD Elimination Efforts to World Leaders
As a non-state actor in official relations with the WHO, The Task Force co-hosted two side events and engaged in many convenings throughout the week,
A Celebration of Heroes: Honoring the Legacies of Drs. Dowdle, Foege, and Hinman
This gathering was co-sponsored by The Carter Center, CDC Foundation, Rollins School of Public Health, and The Task Force for Global Health. Remarks were given
