The world must act now to prevent the next pandemic

Governments worldwide must start thinking ahead and increase funding at community, national, and international levels to shore up health systems and prevent the spread of outbreaks, writes Gro Harlem Brundtland

Imagine the following scenario. In a matter of days, a lethal influenza pandemic spreads around the world, halting trade and travel, triggering social chaos, gutting the global economy, and endangering tens of millions of lives. Such a large-scale disease outbreak is an alarming — but entirely realistic — prospect. To mitigate the risks, the world must take steps now to prepare.