IMPACT: A new Global Health Initiative (GHI) Executive Director, Lois Quam, has recently been named. What will be the organizational relationship between USAID's Global Health Bureau and the Executive Director?

IMPACT: What are some of the overarching issues that threaten progress on global health challenges like malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, reproductive health and child survival?

The United States has a long history of helping people in need, in countries around the world. At times, this has meant helping a nation recover from a disaster or helping families access basic food and shelter to survive. In 1961, with Americans feeling increasing dissatisfaction with the foreign assistance structures that were currently in place, President John F. Kennedy reorganized U.S. foreign aid programs and created the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by executive order.

During her first trip to Southeast Asia as global ambassador for PSI, Ashley promised the women she met along the way: "I will never forget you." In this excerpt from her book, Ashley recounts her first meeting with Kausar, an HIV activist for PSI in India who transformed her life through service to others. Pg. 287-298

KARL HOFMANN: Dr. Shah, you are working to make sure USAID projects are moving toward an endpoint; essentially hoping to put USAID out of business in the long run. Is one of the ways in which countries will move toward self-sufficiency in health care provision by increased provision of health products and services through the private sector?