Global Health Security and Mission-Oriented Funding: The Role of the European Union and Spain from a One Health Perspective

e202607039

Authors

  • Rosalía Fernández Vázquez Vocal Asesora. Dirección General de Ordenación Profesional. Ministerio de Sanidad. Madrid. España.

Keywords:

Global health security, One Health, Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Mental health, Gender equity, Circular migration, Health workers, Mission-oriented economy, WHO Pandemic Agreement, South-South cooperation, Health governance, Health systems resilience, Spain

Abstract

In a context of interconnected crises (health, climate, geopolitical, and inequality) global health security faces challenges that require a renewed approach. This article proposes a vision of health as a global public good, integrating the One Health approach, mental health, gender equity, the reduction of social inequalities, and the circular migration of health workers. Inspired by the mission-oriented approach to economics developed by economist Mariana Mazzucato, it advocates for strategic investments that promote equity and innovation. The leadership of the European Union (EU) and Spain is examined through key initiatives such as the Strategic Plan on Health and Environment (PESMA), the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (PRAN), COVAX, ALMA, and health workforce training programs within the framework of South-South cooperation. The WHO-led Pandemic Agreement is presented as a step towards more equitable global health governance, although limitations remain. The article concludes that a mission-oriented financing architecture, supported by health eurobonds and solidarity-based cooperation mechanisms, is essential to strengthening global health resilience.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Rosalía Fernández Vázquez, Vocal Asesora. Dirección General de Ordenación Profesional. Ministerio de Sanidad. Madrid. España.

Academic Background:

  • Bachelor's degree in Dentistry. University of Granada (2002).
  • Specialist in Maxillofacial Surgery. Boston University, USA (1987).
  • Medical Doctor. University of Granada (2002).
  • Doctor of Medicine (PhD). University of Málaga (2016, awarded with Honours - Cum Laude).
  • Master's in Management and Direction of Health Institutions. Pontifical University of Salamanca (2018).
  • Master's in Occupational Risk Prevention (2008).
  • Master's in Physical Education and Sports Medicine (MIR). University of Málaga (2009).
  • Specialist in International Cooperation, International Crisis Management, and Intelligence Services  Gutiérrez Mellado University Institute, UNED (2009-2013).
  • Course on the European Union (2010).
  • Professional Master’s in Intelligence Analyst for Security and Defence (2024).
  • Professional Master’s in International Analysis and Geopolitics (2025).

 

Professional Experience:

  • Senior Physician Ministry of Health (sub-directorate of Professional Planning and High Inspection).
  • Physician at SUMMA 112 Madrid (since 2013, on leave of absence).
  • Head of External Health Services at the Subdelegation of the Government of Madrid (2008-2012).
  • Military Physician Ministry of Defence, participating in anti-drug operations and biological weapons detection (since 2005, on leave of absence).
  • Family Doctor Madrid Health Service (2005).
  • Collaborating Physician Blood Transfusion Centre of the Spanish Red Cross (2009).
  • Physician in various hospitals (Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Hospital La Mancha Centro, among others) and health centers of the SNS Costa del Sol Andalucía (2003-2007).

 

Courses and Training in Public Administration:

  • Courses on Cybersecurity, Website Management, Open Government, and Health Equity.
  • Training in Corruption Prevention and Democratic Memory.
  • Courses in Basic Life Support Techniques, Coordination of International Vaccinations, and Community Law.

 

Teaching Experience:

  • Instructor in Health Emergencies and Management of Maxillofacial Trauma Emergencies.
  • International Instructor in Oral and Dental Surgery in Venezuela.

 

Research Activity and Course Participation:

  • Participation in various courses on Occupational Risks, Clinical Nutrition, Bioethics, and Tropical Medicine.
  • Training in Emergency Medicine and Management of Multiple Victims in Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Situations.

 

Key Highlights:

  • Multidisciplinary Specialization: education in dentistry, maxillofacial surgery, medicine, occupational risks, and international cooperation, reflecting extensive training in various areas of health and management.
  • Military and Health Emergency Experience: NATO profile roles at the Ministry of Defence, participating in anti-drug operations and biological weapons detection, as well as working with the Military Emergency Unit.
  • Teaching and International Collaboration: delivered courses on health emergencies and maxillofacial surgery internationally, particularly in Venezuela.
  • Commitment to Continuous Training: completed numerous courses related to crisis management, health intelligence, and health equity.
  • Multilingual Profile: fluent in English, French, Portuguese, and regional languages (Galician, Catalan).
 

References

1. World Health Organization. Global Health Observatory (GHO) data [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2023 [consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/data/gho

2. Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo. Cooperación sanitaria en América Latina y África [Internet]. Madrid: AECID; 2023 [consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.aecid.es/es/sectores/salud

3. World Health Organization. Zoonotic diseases: fact sheet. Geneva: WHO; 2020. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/zoonoses

4. World Health Organization. Mental health atlas. Geneva: WHO; 2022. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/world-mental-health-report

5. World Health Organization. Global health workforce: pathways to progress. Geneva: WHO; 2023. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/health-topics/health-workforce#tab=tab_1

6. Mazzucato M. Mission economy: a moonshot guide to changing capitalism. New York: Harper Business; 2021. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://marianamazzucato.com/books/mission-economy/

7. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Climate change and emerging infectious diseases in Europe. Stockholm: ECDC; 2023. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/protecting-most-vulnerable-ecdc-recommendations-address-ongoing-local-transmission

8. World Health Organization. Gender and health in the context of COVID-19. Geneva: WHO; 2021. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/health-topics/gender#tab=tab_1

9. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Antimicrobial resistance in the EU/EEA. Stockholm: ECDC; 2022. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/surveillance-antimicrobial-resistance-europe-2022

10. World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, United Nations Environment Programme. One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022-2026). Geneva: WHO; 2022. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240059139

11. World Health Organization. COVAX: progress report. Geneva: WHO; 2023. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/initiatives/act-accelerator/covax#cms

12. Ministerio de Sanidad. Plan Estratégico de Salud y Medio Ambiente (PESMA). Madrid: Gobierno de España; 2021. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/ciudadanos/pesma/docs/2021_PESMA_04-06-2021.pdf

13. Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. Informe anual del Plan Nacional frente a la Resistencia a los Antibióticos. Madrid: AEMPS; 2023. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://resistenciaantibioticos.es/sites/default/files/202501/Informe%20anual%20PRAN%202022-2023.pdf

14. Ministerio de Sanidad. España. Observatorio de Salud y Cambio Climático [Internet]. Madrid: Gobierno de España; 2023 [consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/observatorio-salud-cambio-climatico

15. African Leaders Malaria Alliance. ALMA 2023 annual report [Internet]. Addis Ababa: ALMA; 2023 [consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://alma2030.org/resources

16. Ministerio de Sanidad. Plan de Acción de Salud Mental 2025-2027. Madrid: Gobierno de España; 2025. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/areas/calidadAsistencial/estrategias/saludMental/docs/Plan_de_accion_para_la_salud_mental_v2.6.pdf

17. Ministerio de Sanidad. España. Plan de Salud y Género. Madrid: Gobierno de España; 2022. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/organizacion/sns/planCalidadSNS/pdf/equidad/InformeSaludyGenero2022/INFORME_SALUD_Y_GENERO_2022.15.09.2022.web.pdf

18. Alzheimer Europe. Dementia in Europe yearbook. Luxembourg: Alzheimer Europe; 2023. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.alzheimer-europe.org/resources/publications/dementia-europe-yearbook-2023-legal-capacity-and-supported-decision-making?language_content_entity=en

19. Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. CEPI annual report. Oslo: CEPI; 2023. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://static.cepi.net/downloads/2024-07/CEPI%202023%20Annual%20Progress%20Report.pdf

20. World Health Organization. WHO pandemic agreement adopted at 78th World Health Assembly [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2025 [consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/news/item/01-06-2025-who-pandemic-agreement-adopted

21. The WHO’s 78th World Health Assembly: a historic milestone in global health security. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/es/news/item/30-05-2025-who-director-general--member-states-reaffirm-commitment-to-who-and-global-health-at-historic-world-health-assembly

22. Council of the European Union. EU support for a WHO pandemic treaty [Internet]. Brussels: European Union; 2020 [consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press

23. Fidler DP. The WHO Pandemic Treaty: challenges and opportunities for global health equity. Health Aff (Millwood). 2025;44(3):321-328. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/news/item/20-05-2025-world-health-assembly-adopts-historic-pandemic-agreement-to-make-the-world-more-equitable-and-safer-from-future-pandemics

24. Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Proyecciones de población 2023. Madrid: INE; 2023. [Consultado 10 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736176953&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735572981

25. Fiocruz. [Consultado 11 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://fiocruz.br/

26. Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA). [Consultado 11 jul 2025]. Disponible en: https://health.ec.europa.eu/health-emergency-preparedness-and-response-hera_en

Published

2026-07-08

How to Cite

1.
Fernández Vázquez R. Global Health Security and Mission-Oriented Funding: The Role of the European Union and Spain from a One Health Perspective: e202607039. Rev Esp Salud Pública [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 8 [cited 2026 Jul. 10];100(1):9 páginas. Available from: https://ojs.sanidad.gob.es/index.php/resp/article/view/1395