The Foundation recognizes the serious problems inherent in population growth, climate change, and increasing contact between wildlife and both humans and domesticated animals. This has led to greater disease transmission across species lines, with great danger to humans and animals on which humans rely for food.

The Foundation played a pioneering role in the field of conservation medicine, helping to organize the Consortium for Conservation Medicine, led by Wildlife Trust, and provide it with key funding. That innovative collaboration is helping to address the increasingly important connections between wildlife and human health. The Foundation also funds an alliance of 13 leading conservation organizations in developing nations around the world, also organized by Wildlife Trust.

The Center for Health and Global Environment, established at Harvard Medical School, has provided leadership in the understanding of these issues among physicians, other health professionals, scientists, medical students, the media, policymakers and the general public.

In addition to the major grants (listed on the left), the Foundation has provided funding to a number of organizations that help advance health initiatives, including the Commonweal Institute and Environmental Heath Sciences.