The Biden administration will soon launch an initiative to address the needs of the global health workforce. This investment is sorely needed. Offering greater protection and support to health workers, while expanding their numbers, especially in less-resourced countries, is critical to ending Covid-19—and preparing for future health emergencies. 

Health workers have faced immense challenges over the past two years. At least 115,000 have died on the front lines in the fight against Covid-19, and that is a conservative estimate. Poor working conditions are leading many to go on strike or consider leaving their professions.

So far, we haven’t done enough to protect them. While more than 80% of health workers in wealthy countries are vaccinated against Covid-19, fewer than 30% in Africa are. 

This article originally appeared on Barron's on February 11, 2022. Read the full article here.

This article is part of a series on investing in the global health workforce. To read more from other health experts, click here.