Public Health Lessons From the European Union

Originally aired March 2, 2022

Only 23% of Americans believe they receive the best healthcare possible — compared to 70% of EU citizens. In the 14th episode of the GWU Leadership in Our Time series, Sandra Gallina, Director-General for Health and Food Security at the European Commission, joins host András Simonyi and GWU’s Ed Saltzberg to discuss health and food systems in a changing climate, EU–US research collaborations, persistent viruses including COVID, and the lessons Europe offers for American health policy.

Speakers

Sandra Gallina

Director-General for Health and Food Security, European Commission

Sandra Gallina serves as Director-General for Health and Food Security at the European Commission, overseeing EU policy on public health, food safety, and health system resilience. She brings a transatlantic perspective on healthcare systems, pandemic preparedness, and the intersection of health and climate policy.

András Simonyi (Host)

Former Ambassador of Hungary to the United States; Host, Leadership in Our Time

András Simonyi served as Hungary’s Ambassador to the United States and to NATO. He is the former Managing Director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations at SAIS Johns Hopkins University and host of SSF’s Leadership in Our Time series, convening global leaders on security, democracy, and sustainability.

Edward Saltzberg

Executive Director, Security & Sustainability Forum

Ed Saltzberg is the Executive Director of the Security and Sustainability Forum, where he leads conversations with global leaders on the intersection of environmental sustainability, security, and long-term resilience.