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Who We Are

Annual Reports

Our Center has traditionally prepared annual reports to recap our work within the broader global public health context. Because of the unprecedented and devastating spread of SARS CoV-2 and the intense focus it required of our entire team, we have indefinitely postponed our annual reports.

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2020 COVID-19 Response Summary

In early 2021, we worked with writer Alexander Gelfand to snapshot our team’s contributions to pandemic response efforts in 2020. We are grateful to all the public health leaders and teams around the world who have spent countless hours responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read about our COVID-19 response work in 2020: Emergency Response: The Center for Health Security Confronts a Global Pandemic.

CHS 2020 Annual Report

Center for Health Security 2020 Annual Report

Annual Report Archive

2019

Download the 2019 annual report

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2019 annual report

The 2019 Annual Report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security highlights the organization's efforts to enhance global health security and pandemic preparedness. Key initiatives and activities from that year include:

  • Event 201 Pandemic Exercise: The Center conducted a high-profile tabletop exercise simulating a global coronavirus pandemic. This exercise brought together leaders from business, government, and public health sectors to explore coordinated responses to a severe pandemic scenario.
  • Policy Development and Advocacy: The Center actively engaged in shaping health security policies by providing expert testimony to U.S. Congress, publishing influential reports, and advising international bodies. These efforts aimed to strengthen national and global preparedness for biological threats.
  • Research and Publications: The Center for Health Security produced a range of research outputs focusing on emerging infectious diseases, biosecurity, and the implications of biotechnological advancements. These publications served as resources for policymakers and the scientific community.
  • Global Health Security Index: In collaboration with partners, the Center contributed to the development of the Global Health Security Index, a comprehensive assessment of health security capabilities across countries. This index provided a benchmark for evaluating and improving national health security measures.

The report underscores the Center for Health Security's commitment to proactive measures in anticipating and mitigating health emergencies, emphasizing the importance of preparedness, collaboration, and informed policy-making in safeguarding public health.

2018

Download the 2018 annual report

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2018 annual report

The 2018 Annual Report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security commemorates the Center's 20th anniversary and outlines its efforts to enhance global health security. Key initiatives and activities from that year include:

  • Clade X Pandemic Exercise: The Center conducted a high-level simulation named Clade X, which modeled a severe pandemic scenario caused by a genetically engineered virus. The exercise aimed to identify gaps in national and global preparedness and to stimulate policy discussions on mitigating catastrophic biological threats.
  • Science Diplomacy and International Engagement: The Center expanded its international collaborations through biosecurity dialogues in India and Southeast Asia, initiated joint efforts with China's first academic NGO focused on biosafety policy, and engaged with Pakistan on health security issues. Additionally, CHS hosted the inaugural Global Forum on Scientific Advances Important to the Biological & Toxin Weapons Convention.
  • Research on Emerging Technologies: The Center for Health Security identified 15 emerging technologies with the potential to reduce global catastrophic biological risks. The Center advocated for strategic investment in these technologies to complement traditional approaches to prevention, preparedness, and response.

Throughout 2018, the Center remained committed to its mission of protecting public health from epidemics and disasters by advancing research, fostering international collaboration, and promoting policies to strengthen health security worldwide.

2017

Download the 2017 annual report

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2017 annual report

The 2017 Annual Report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security highlights a year of significant growth and strategic realignment, emphasizing the Center's commitment to enhancing global health security. Key developments and initiatives from that year include:

  • Major Funding and Institutional Integration: The Center for Health Security received a substantial $16 million grant from the Open Philanthropy Project, marking the largest grant to date for biosecurity and pandemic preparedness projects. This funding supported the Center's efforts to address global catastrophic biological risks. Additionally, the Center integrated into the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthening its academic foundation.
  • Expanded Research and Policy Engagement: The Center broadened its research portfolio to encompass areas such as emerging infectious diseases, biosafety, biosecurity, synthetic biology, and risk communication. The Center for Health Security actively engaged with policymakers, scholars, and the private sector through working groups, conferences, and congressional seminars to influence health security policies and practices.
  • Focus on Global Health Security: Recognizing the interconnected nature of biological threats, the Center emphasized the importance of U.S. leadership in international initiatives like the Global Health Security Agenda. The Center advocated for strengthened preparedness in healthcare systems and public health infrastructures to effectively detect and respond to biological threats.

Throughout 2017, the Center for Health Security remained dedicated to its mission of protecting public health from epidemics and disasters, ensuring community resilience, and advancing policies to mitigate biological threats.

2016

Download the 2016 annual report

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2016 annual report

The 2016 Annual Report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security highlights the organization's efforts to enhance global health security and biosecurity. Key initiatives and activities from that year include:

  • Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative (ELBI): The Center continued to support the ELBI program, which aims to cultivate the next generation of biosecurity leaders through fellowships, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.
  • Policy Engagement and Advocacy: The Center actively engaged with policymakers and stakeholders to influence health security policies, providing expert analysis and recommendations on emerging biological threats and preparedness strategies.
  • Research and Publications: The Center for Health Security produced a range of research outputs focusing on biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, and the implications of biotechnological advancements. These publications served as resources for policymakers and the scientific community.

Throughout 2016, the Center remained dedicated to its mission of protecting public health from epidemics and disasters by advancing research, fostering collaboration, and promoting policies to strengthen health security worldwide.

2015

Download the 2015 annual report

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2015 annual report

The 2015 Annual Report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security highlights the organization's efforts to enhance global health security and biosecurity. Key initiatives and activities from that year include:

  • Policy Engagement and Advocacy: The Center for Health Security actively engaged with policymakers and stakeholders to influence health security policies, providing expert analysis and recommendations on emerging biological threats and preparedness strategies.
  • Research and Publications: The Center produced a range of research outputs focusing on biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, and the implications of biotechnological advancements. These publications served as resources for policymakers and the scientific community.
  • Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative (ELBI): The Center continued to support the ELBI program, which aims to cultivate the next generation of biosecurity leaders through fellowships, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.

Throughout 2015, the Center for Health Security remained dedicated to its mission of protecting public health from epidemics and disasters by advancing research, fostering collaboration, and promoting policies to strengthen health security worldwide.

2014

Download the 2014 annual report

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2014 annual report

The 2014 Annual Report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security highlights the organization's efforts to enhance global health security and biosecurity. Key initiatives and activities from that year include:

  • Policy Engagement and Advocacy: The Center for Health Security actively engaged with policymakers and stakeholders to influence health security policies, providing expert analysis and recommendations on emerging biological threats and preparedness strategies.
  • Research and Publications: The Center produced a range of research outputs focusing on biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, and the implications of biotechnological advancements. These publications served as resources for policymakers and the scientific community.
  • Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative (ELBI): The Center continued to support the ELBI program, which aims to cultivate the next generation of biosecurity leaders through fellowships, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.

Throughout 2014, the Center for Health Security remained dedicated to its mission of protecting public health from epidemics and disasters by advancing research, fostering collaboration, and promoting policies to strengthen health security worldwide.

2013

Download the 2013 annual report

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2013 annual report

The 2013 Annual Report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security highlights the organization's efforts to enhance global health security and biosecurity. Key initiatives and activities from that year include:

  • National Health Security Preparedness Index: The Center contributed to the development of the first state-by-state index assessing health preparedness across the United States. This index provided a comprehensive evaluation of each state's capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies.
  • Policy Engagement and Advocacy: The Center actively engaged with policymakers and stakeholders to influence health security policies, providing expert analysis and recommendations on emerging biological threats and preparedness strategies.
  • Research and Publications: The Center for Health Security produced a range of research outputs focusing on biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, and the implications of biotechnological advancements. These publications served as resources for policymakers and the scientific community.

Throughout 2013, the Center remained dedicated to its mission of protecting public health from epidemics and disasters by advancing research, fostering collaboration, and promoting policies to strengthen health security worldwide.

2012

Download the 2012 annual report

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2012 annual report

The 2012 Annual Report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security highlights the organization's efforts to enhance global health security and biosecurity. Key initiatives and activities from that year include:

  • Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative (ELBI): The Center for Health Security launched the ELBI program, aiming to cultivate the next generation of biosecurity leaders through fellowships, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.
  • Policy Engagement and Advocacy: The Center actively engaged with policymakers and stakeholders to influence health security policies, providing expert analysis and recommendations on emerging biological threats and preparedness strategies.
  • Research and Publications: The Center produced a range of research outputs focusing on biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, and the implications of biotechnological advancements. These publications served as resources for policymakers and the scientific community.

Throughout 2012, the Center remained dedicated to its mission of protecting public health from epidemics and disasters by advancing research, fostering collaboration, and promoting policies to strengthen health security worldwide.

2011

Download the 2011 annual report

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2011 annual report

The 2011 Annual Report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security highlights the organization's efforts to enhance global health security and biosecurity. Key initiatives and activities from that year include:

  • Rad Resilient City Initiative: The Center published its first nuclear preparedness guidance aimed at public health, medical, and civic leaders, focusing on enhancing urban resilience to radiological threats.
  • Policy Engagement and Advocacy: The Center actively engaged with policymakers and stakeholders to influence health security policies, providing expert analysis and recommendations on emerging biological threats and preparedness strategies.
  • Research and Publications: The Center produced a range of research outputs focusing on biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, and the implications of biotechnological advancements. These publications served as resources for policymakers and the scientific community.

Throughout 2011, the Center for Health Security remained dedicated to its mission of protecting public health from epidemics and disasters by advancing research, fostering collaboration, and promoting policies to strengthen health security worldwide.

2010

Download the 2010 annual report

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2010 annual report

The 2010 Annual Report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security highlights the Center's efforts to enhance global health security and biosecurity. Key initiatives and activities from that year include:

  • Policy Engagement and Advocacy: The Center actively engaged with policymakers and stakeholders to influence health security policies, providing expert analysis and recommendations on emerging biological threats and preparedness strategies.
  • Research and Publications: The Center for Health Security produced a range of research outputs focusing on biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, and the implications of biotechnological advancements. These publications served as resources for policymakers and the scientific community.

Throughout 2010, the Center remained dedicated to its mission of protecting public health from epidemics and disasters by advancing research, fostering collaboration, and promoting policies to strengthen health security worldwide.