For science.
America's health and the world's health are fundamentally connected. Consider that during the H1N1 flu pandemic, the virus quickly traveled around the world and a global effort was required to track its movements and eventually contain the disease. Across the world, communities still struggle with preventable and often-neglected diseases. For example, while global measles deaths have massively decreased since 2000, the vaccine-preventable disease is still common in many developing countries, affecting about 7 million people in 2016. Malaria — a preventable condition often described as a neglected disease — caused 435,000 deaths worldwide in 2017. The World Health Organization's top 10 threats to global health include: pandemic flu, cholera, violent conflict, malaria, malnutrition and natural disasters.
For action.
Support continued funding for U.S. global public health efforts, such as USAID's global health programs in maternal and child health, family planning, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases and health systems strengthening, and CDC's work to advance the Global Health Security Agenda. Call on U.S. and world leaders to protect health workers and facilities during violent conflicts and hold those accountable who purposefully target health workers. Participate in World Health Day on April 7!
For health.
U.S. global health investments have provided a wealth of positive returns. At CDC, for example, global health security efforts have helped countries scale up their emergency and medical countermeasure capacities, which means the world is better prepared to stop outbreaks before they spread. U.S. support is also critical in advancing new technologies and treatments, including those for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and Ebola. Such support is critical because treating diseases that primarily impact low-income nations offers little commercial incentive for the private sector. Investing in global health is good for the U.S. economy, too. Research shows that in 2015, 89 cents of every U.S. government dollar directed to global health research and development was invested in the U.S., putting billions of dollars into the American economy.
Healthy Communities
Violence Prevention
Rural Health
Technology and Public HealthClimate Change
Global Health