Laurie A. Garrett argues that in handling pandemics, "governments should only set up action and threat assessment systems that are flexible, and useful."

It is not often clear when the spread of a disease, such as cholera, becomes a pandemic.

Stephen E. Flynn and Irwin Redlener argue that the United States would fail a pandemic preparedness stress test.

An e-newsletter from CFR's Global Health Program providing an update on the outbreak of the H1N1 virus.

Swine flu has already shaken markets. While the scope of the current outbreak remains unknown, experts say a severe pandemic could drive productivity losses, dampen trade, and lower product demand at a time of preexisting economic frailty.

Listen to Michael T. Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, discuss the threat of swine flu becoming a pandemic and the steps that governments should take to minimize the effects.

David J. Rothkopf relates how modern media technology has amplified the spread of "infodemics" surrounding public health scares and how best to curb it.

A Council on Foreign Relations media conference call about the current state of the swine flu outbreak.

Stephen Flynn, a leading homeland security expert, says while the initial U.S. response to the swine flu outbreak has gone reasonably well, the country remains ill prepared for a severe epidemic.

Listen to CFR expert Laurie Garrett discuss the threat of a global swine flu pandemic and possible policy responses.

David Dobbs examines why the swine flu seems to be more deadly in Mexico.

Up-to-date guidelines from the Center for Disease Control on the proper response to the latest outbreak of swine influenza.

CFR's Laurie Garrett provides historical context to the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico.

A World Health Organization guidance document on preventing or delaying the spread of pandemic influenza.

This RAND Corporation report provides guidelines for state and local officials to improve their emergency responses to public health threats.

China increasingly asserts itself as an emerging economic superpower, but the country also continues to face high-profile setbacks that tarnish its brand.

Richard Holbrooke and Laurie Garrett, write about the concept of “viral sovereignty,” an “extremely dangerous idea” that asserts that deadly viruses are the sovereign property of individual nations. Fueled by self-destructive, anti-Western sentiments, this concept is slowly gaining traction and poses a real threat to global health.

Laurie Garrett argues that our focus in the fight against AIDS should not be to create a multibillion dollar industry that only treats the disease. Instead, our resources need to be geared towards finding a long-term cure that can stop the spread of the virus permanantly.