Global Health and the
World Health Organization
continued
The United States has always been a leading force in improving health outcomes around the world, and we have helped improve the lives of millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. America is, by far, the largest contributor to – and implementer of – health programs and services around the world. In FY2024, total U.S. global health funding through regular appropriations was roughly $12.3 billion.
It’s imperative that the United States remain committed to the advancement of global health. It matters now, more than ever before. According to the WHO:
In just two years, the COVID-19 pandemic reversed over a decade of gains in both life expectancy at birth and healthy life expectancy (HALE). By 2020, both global life expectancy and HALE had rolled back to 2016 levels (72.5 years and 62.8 years, respectively). The following year saw further declines, with both retreating to 2012 levels (71.4 years and 61.9 years, respectively).” The report continued, “The pandemic wreaked havoc in population health across the globe. The devastating impacts of the pandemic on health, economy, families and society have been observed worldwide since 2020 and are expected to continue to unfold in the years to come.
The Annual Threat Assessment from the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, released on February 5, 2024, revealed that:
National health system shortfalls, public mistrust and medical misinformation, and eroding global health governance will impede the capacity of countries to respond to health threats. Countries remain vulnerable to the introduction of a new or reemerging pathogen that could cause another devastating pandemic.
Other highlights from the report:
The predicted shortage of at least 10 million healthcare workers by 2030 will occur primarily in low- and middle-income countries.
Global health governance and adherence to UN health protocols may be eroded during the coming year by continued disregard by governments of international health institutions and norms and adversary interference in global health initiatives.
Drivers for infectious disease emergence are on the rise, including deforestation, wildlife harvesting and trade, mass food production, and lack of international consensus on biosafety norms. These drivers are compounded by factors that facilitate global spread, such as international travel and trade, inadequate global disease surveillance and control, weakened health systems, public distrust, and medical misinformation.
Significant outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, cholera, dengue, Ebola, monkeypox, and polio have stretched global and national disease detection and response systems further straining the international community’s ability to address health emergencies.
Sources:
“The U.S. Government and Global Health.” KFF. 15 Oct 2024
“World Health Statistics 2024.” World Health Organization. 21 May 2024
“The Global HIV/AIDS Overview.” HIV.gov. 2 Dec 2024
“PEPFAR.” HIV.gov. 2 Dec 2024