Every four years, soccer brings the world together.
This summer, the Men’s FIFA World Cup has come to North America, bringing together teams from 48 countries and fans from more than 200. They arrive with different traditions and celebrations, speaking over 100 different languages. Yet, they all play the same game and are working toward the same end: a goal, a victory.
Around the world, soccer is woven into daily life in different ways. In some places, children play in the streets, while families listen to games on the radio. In others, teams compete under lights in front of hundreds or even thousands of fans. Some people play daily, while others watch on television. But no matter the approach, soccer unites millions.
The World Cup brings thousands together in one stadium and billions together worldwide.
In communities like this one in Peru, soccer is part of every day.
Public Health Looks Different Around the World
Across the globe, communities face unique public health challenges shaped by geography, history and circumstances. The public health professionals addressing those challenges bring different expertise, perspectives and approaches. Though the work may look different from one country to another, it is driven by a shared commitment: improving health and helping people live longer, healthier lives.
Worldwide, nearly 3.5 million people die from lead-related heart disease every year—more than from malaria—and children are especially vulnerable. Regular blood lead level testing is the most effective way to detect lead exposure early. Testing helps many countries identify and address lead hazards and provide essential care to those with elevated blood lead levels. In Brazil, the CDC Foundation is working with government and implementing partners to strengthen laboratory systems that support effective lead screening programs. This work moves us closer to the shared goal of safer, lead-free communities.
Public health systems are also essential for detecting and responding to infectious disease outbreaks, because when a disease outbreak occurs, every minute matters. In Mozambique, the CDC Foundation is working with the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Health to implement the 7-1-7 framework. The faster health officials can detect a potential threat, notify the right authorities and launch a coordinated, effective response, the better the chances of containing it before it spreads. The 7-1-7 framework is designed to detect the threat within seven days, notify the appropriate health authority within one day and complete a set of early response steps within seven days. The framework gives response teams a structured way to identify where delays are happening and develop concrete plans to address them quickly.
A Brazilian scientist checks a blood sample under the microscope. Testing for lead allows countries to provide essential care to those with elevated levels.
Testing is one of the key methods of early outbreak detection, the first target in the 7-1-7 framework.
Public Health at Home
Even across the United States, public health looks different. In Georgia, where eight World Cup matches will be played, the CDC Foundation is empowering people to understand the risks of uncontrolled high blood pressure and take practical steps to prevent and manage it. Through community interventions and broader outreach, the Foundation and its partners are working to reduce cases of uncontrolled high blood pressure in Georgia and across the United States.
In New York and New Jersey, host to eight World Cup matches this summer, the CDC Foundation is working with the New Jersey Department of Health to log data from death certificates and coroner, medical examiner and toxicology reports. Flagging trends and correlations, like the relationship between a fatal overdose and that person’s history with mental health, helps state and local governments better respond to and prevent overdoses.
Controlling hypertension includes regular tracking of blood pressure numbers.
Overdose data provides EMS and community partners with the tools to provide more tailored outreach.
Working Together
As countries around the world face disease outbreaks and other challenges, public health demonstrates the interconnectedness of our global community. This summer, as we cheer on the athletes representing their nations in the World Cup, let’s also celebrate the community leaders, medical professionals and public health workers whose dedication and expertise help build healthier, safer communities in the United States and around the world.
Two children in Kenya pass a ball to each other.
A group of children play soccer together in Vietnam.
