As US Surgeons General under the Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton administrations we devoted our careers to protect the health of all Americansboth domestically and globally.

Through our experiences, we witnessed the profound effects of public health crises – exciting from conflicts and natural disasters to the recent covid-19 pandemic – on individuals, societies and nations as a whole. We have also seen up close the real and lasting impact of America’s leadership, action and cooperation to protect Americans at home and abroad. For general surgeons, there is no higher purpose or better outcome.

But as we have all seen, when public health is compromised, the consequences extend far beyond physical well-being. Economic growth, employment opportunities, access to education and overall societal welfare are compromised when health safety is not prioritized. Therefore, we call for a renewed emphasis on US leadership and accountability in global health security to avoid such crises in the future.

Diseases transcend borders to American households

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how a health emergency that originates on one side of the world can quickly turn into a threat to our very way of life. The strain on healthcare systems, sacrifices by frontline workers and tragic loss of life have left an indelible mark on our society.

In addition, the economic impact of the pandemic has been profound, with trillions of dollars lost across the US and global economies.

Looking ahead, it is imperative to recognize the escalating risk of future pandemics and outbreaks. Diseases transcend borders and can spread rapidly through contemporary travel and trade networks. The safety and security of the United States is intricately tied to the health and well-being of populations around the world.

Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain global health security as a fundamental requirement of national security.

Throughout history, surgeons general have been at the forefront of fighting the spread of disease and advocating for health measures that protect all Americans. The success of previous investments in global health initiatives – such as eradication of smallpox and efforts to address the HIV/AIDS crisis ‒ underlines the importance of collaborating with international partners and organizations, such as the World Health Organization, to proactively prevent and respond to health threats.

Global health security defends our national security

As the new Trump administration takes office, we ask its leaders to prioritize global health security and vaccine confidence as a critical national security concern. Strong public health infrastructure and global cooperation are indispensable for strengthening our defenses against infectious diseases.

By consistently supporting initiatives that protect populations worldwide, we can ensure the health and well-being of Americans within our borders.

Although we, the former surgeons general of the United States, have served in various political administrations, we were—and remain—aligned around the fundamental principle that the best science must inform our recommendations. We are convinced that this must, and will, continue to be the North Star we follow in future American health policy and implementation, for the health and well-being of our citizens and people around the world.

The importance of global health security cannot be overstated. Diseases respect no borders and can strike at any time, as evidenced by recent outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza, Marburg disease and 2019 measles cases in Samoa which claimed 83 lives.

It is impossible to effectively pursue new administrative priorities when dealing with preventable infectious disease threats and outbreaks. By advancing global health initiatives and strengthening vaccine confidence through evidence-based practices, we can strengthen the health and safety of all Americans and our planet.

The time is ripe for our new leaders to reaffirm America’s commitment to global health security and uphold our legacy of leadership in this critical world.

Dr. Joycelyn Elders15th Surgeon General, 1993-94. Dr. Richard Carmona17th Surgeon General, 2002-06. Dr. Jerome Adams20th Chief Medical Officer, 2017-21. Dr. Kenneth MoritsuguActing Surgeon General 2002 and 2006-07. Dr. Boris LushniakActing Chief Medical Officer, 2013-14.

This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Public health requires preparations for future outbreaks | Opinion