DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) is teaming up as a contributing partner with ABC News to produce a year-long series of programs on global health issues.

"Be the Change: Save a Life" will premiere Dec. 17 with a day of reporting across all ABC News broadcasts and a special edition of "20/20" airing at 10 p.m. EST.

DGHI will contribute expertise and background research for stories that will appear on all ABC News programs. Its faculty and staff also will contribute content and information to a series website, www.saveone.net.

"Our institute is becoming known as a reliable, responsive resource for research and evidence on a range of global health topics," said Michael Merson, the institute's founding director. "We're excited to be a part of such a positive initiative that will raise awareness of and promote change on important global health issues. I applaud ABC News for focusing its attention and resources to this important topic."

"Be the Change: Save a Life" will tell stories from nine countries on three continents, focusing on the health conditions endured by the poorest of the poor. It also will highlight innovations to help improve the situation.

The initiative will be led by "World News" anchor Diane Sawyer and ABC News chief health and medical editor Dr. Richard Besser. It is supported through a $1.5 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and an ABC News investment of more than $4.5 million to cover personnel and production costs.

"This year-long series on ABC News is a unique opportunity to present the stories, problems and solutions of global health to our audience," said Eric Avram, executive producer of specialized units at ABC News. "We are very excited to have DGHI as a contributing partner in this initiative."

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For more information on the ABC News Global Health Series, go to: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/change-save-life-abc-news/story?id=11805510