The Ebola Outbreak Shows Why the Global Health System Is Broken

At the end of last week, the World Health Organization declared the West African Ebola outbreak an international health emergency. The move was largely symbolic, however; the organization did not suggest trade and travel restrictions, a reflection of the slim chances of a global epidemic. Even in the West African countries where the disease has spread, it’s still far down the list of killers. Over the past few months infections such as malaria and tuberculosis have caused far more deaths in the region than Ebola.

At the same time, the Ebola outbreak is a wake-up call to governments everywhere: The international health system is broken. Preventing a recurrence of this tragedy will require more money and attention on global progress against infectious disease and epidemics.