Global Health

Our Issues

For decades, the United States has been a global leader in fighting infectious diseases and strengthening the health systems of partner states around the world.

Americans understand that outbreaks of infectious diseases don’t stop at the border. By supporting global health programs like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, we prevent the spread of diseases to the United States while saving lives. The President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) alone has saved over 26 million people since its creation in 2003. However, President Trump’s haphazard foreign aid freeze and withdrawal from the World Health Organization leave us exposed to worldwide health threats and unable to shape global responses to infectious disease. We ask Congress to restore U.S. leadership on international efforts to address pandemics and support a long-term reauthorization of PEPFAR and full replenishment of the Global Fund.

25 Million

The number of lives saved under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program since its creation in 2003.

Key Facts on PEPFAR by KFF

“We are on the verge of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. To abandon our commitment now would forfeit two decades of unimaginable progress and raise further questions about the worth of America’s word.”
— George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States Hear this quote in context on the reauthorization of PEPFAR

What You Can Do

U.S. leadership on global health is an essential expression of our humanitarian values, promotes stability, solidifies trade relationships, develops goodwill, and combats the influence of our adversaries and competitors. You can encourage this leadership by telling your elected representatives in Congress to reauthorize important programs like PEPFAR and replenish the U.S. $6 billion pledge to the Global Fund. This must also be coupled with greater American support for international efforts to prepare for and respond to pandemics and other global health challenges.

Learn More

The World Is Not Ready for the Next Pandemic Foreign Affairs, 2024

Centering PEPFAR in U.S. Global Health Security Strategies CSIS, 2023

The Mexico City Policy: An Explainer KFF

U.S. Global Health Funding: FY2020-FY2023 Appropriations Congressional Research Service

Michael Gerson’s Words Make the Case for Saving PEPFAR President George W. Bush

2023 Global Health Briefing Book Global Health Council: The Power of U.S. Investments in Global Health

COVID-19: Defeating a Global Pandemic USGLC

Global Health

Global Health

What You Can Do

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Action