century ago, Johnson & Johnson played a leading role in helping to limit the impact of the 1918 Spanish Flu, one of the deadliest pandemics in modern history, by introducing the epidemic mask, made from sterile gauze. It proved so effective that it was also used in later outbreaks.
In more recent history, we have been at the forefront of tackling epidemics from Ebola to HIV to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The age of globalization has brought us closer together, but also made us more vulnerable to the spread of such disease. However, advances in science and new global partnerships have the potential to ensure that we are prepared to address these infectious disease health threats.
As we’ve seen, it is a question of when—not if—the next epidemic will strike. So we have to be ready.
Johnson & Johnson is one of the world's only major healthcare companies actively engaged to prepare, and prevent, a broad range of pandemic threats. Explore just a few of the ways we are working with partners to outsmart epidemics around the globe.
If we are going to successfully protect vulnerable communities from the threat of infectious diseases outbreaks we must collaborate and leverage the very best expertise from across the private and public sectors. At Johnson & Johnson we have always believed in a comprehensive approach to tackling infectious diseases—creating new medicines and healthcare products, helping to spearhead public education efforts, and investing in ongoing education for healthcare workers on the front lines. Our effort to support pandemic preparedness is just the latest example of our company-wide commitment to promote—and protect—health and well-being.