Program Overview

• Hosts: Ray Suarez, Garrick Utley, Marvin Kalb, Steve Roberts, and Margaret Warner
• Original Airdate: Jan 2006

In this era of globalization, an influenza outbreak would require unprecedented cooperation between government and public health officials around the world. America Abroad assesses the current threat posed by avian flu and the current state of global preparedness.

Garrick Utley narrates an archival audio tour of the history of influenza and mankind's battle against infectious diseases.

Marvin Kalb moderates a discussion that examines the risk of an influenza pandemic, and what the United States and the international community can do to prevent it.

Steve Roberts looks back at the 1976 swine influenza scare and the response of the Ford Administration.

Margaret Warner examines the situation on the ground in East Asia, and the unique challenges faced by the developing world to identify the influenza virus and protect against a pandemic.

Guests on the program include:

Laurie Garrett, Senior Fellow for Global Health at the Council on Foreign Relations

Dr. Keiji Fukuda of the Global Influenza Program at the World Health Organization (WHO)

Dr. Nils Daulaire, President and CEO of the Global Health Council

Dr. William Schaffner, Chairman of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Dr. David Sencer, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Dr. David Mathews, former Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare

Dr. E. Russell Alexander, former member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices