Date
7-22-2025
Department
Helms School of Government
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (PhD)
Chair
Charles A. Owen
Keywords
Public policy, health security, securitization theory, human security, biosecurity, existential threat, bioterrorism, national security, international security, pathogen
Disciplines
Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
Recommended Citation
Donkor, Lydia, "Conceptualizing COVID-19 as a Biosecurity Threat to the National Security of Twelve Countries: Implications for Global Health Policy" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7165.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7165
Abstract
Biosecurity threats, including diseases such as COVID-19, influence public health and national security policies. The COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, reveals the risks of biological agents to public health. This study investigates how varying perceptions of COVID-19 as a biosecurity threat affected public policy in 12 countries, including the United States (U.S.), the United Kingdom (U.K.), China, and Ghana, aligning with the Copenhagen School's Securitization Theory and employing causal inference methods. This research used qualitative document analysis to examine government responses to COVID-19 within a security framework among the research participants. The findings demonstrate that nations that viewed COVID-19 as a significant biosecurity threat adopted stringent health policies, revealing the relationship between public discourse and policy initiatives. The analysis disclosed variations in national perceptions and pandemic responses implemented to explain the interconnectivity of public health, economic stability, and educational integrity. These differences require developing integrated policies to promote national health security and pandemic preparedness against any potential health emergencies. Framing COVID-19 within the context of biosecurity, the study offers valuable insights into public health and national security discussions, offering actionable recommendations for policymakers to bolster resilience against emerging threats. Key areas for enhancement include the integration of public health policies with national security strategies, the improvement of public health communication, the establishment of robust economic policies to maintain stability during health emergencies, the strengthening of healthcare infrastructure, and the development of adaptive emergency preparedness protocols to address varying national perceptions of health threats.
