WHO Warns of Global Health Impacts from U.S. Aid Freeze

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has issued a stark warning: the Trump administration’s decision to temporarily halt U.S. foreign aid is having devastating effects on infectious disease control worldwide. Speaking at a press conference in Switzerland on the 12th, Tedros emphasized that the suspension is severely undermining efforts to combat diseases such as AIDS and polio across the globe. To what extent are these truly the results of decisions made by the U.S. government? Let’s take a look at the actual impact.

The Decision and Its Far-Reaching Consequences

Former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to halt foreign aid for 90 days, impacting programs managed by the U.S. State Department and USAID (United States Agency for International Development). While some exceptions were made, the majority of international health initiatives have been temporarily suspended, leading to disruptions in disease prevention, treatment, and management efforts worldwide.

This decision comes at a time when global health systems are still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, many countries, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia, depend heavily on U.S. funding for public health programs. The sudden suspension of aid jeopardizes years of progress made in fighting infectious diseases and threatens to reverse gains achieved through international cooperation.

HIV/AIDS Programs in Crisis

One of the hardest-hit areas is HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, which operate pediatric HIV/AIDS programs in Malawi, Lesotho, and Uganda, are now struggling to continue their life-saving work. These programs support tens of thousands of patients by providing antiretroviral therapy and comprehensive healthcare services.

However, because of the freeze of U.S. aid, they are forced to lay off staff and close clinics, leading to disruptions in the supply of antiretroviral drugs. This puts patients at high risk of treatment interruptions, which can result in drug resistance and declining health. For children living with HIV, consistent medication is vital for suppressing the virus and maintaining a healthy immune system. As of 2023, approximately 2.38 million children aged 0-19 were living with HIV worldwide. In Eastern and Southern Africa, which includes Malawi, Lesotho, and Uganda, more than 60% of these children reside.

Polio Eradication Efforts Threatened

Polio, a disease that was on the brink of eradication, is now facing a resurgence risk due to the aid freeze. Polio vaccination campaigns, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Afghanistan and Pakistan, rely heavily on U.S. funding for logistics and vaccine distribution. Specific data shows that in the Gaza Strip, the routine vaccination rate for inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) fell from 99% in 2022 to below 90% in the first quarter of 2024 due to the impacts of conflict. As a result, children are now at increased risk of polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

With the suspension of aid, vaccination programs have been halted, leaving millions of children unprotected against the disease. This interruption not only endangers the health of children but also threatens to reverse decades of progress toward global polio eradication.

Impact on Tuberculosis Treatment

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment programs are also severely impacted by the freeze on U.S. aid, leading to disruptions in the supply of essential medications and making it difficult for patients to continue their treatment. TB remains a major public health issue, especially in developing countries, and treatment interruptions significantly increase the risk of disease progression and further transmission. In 2023, approximately 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with TB, marking the highest number recorded since the World Health Organization (WHO) began monitoring the disease. One of the biggest concerns is the rise of drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which is much harder to treat and significantly more costly. With aid funding halted, diagnostic services and support from healthcare workers are limited, restricting access to proper TB care. This setback threatens global efforts to eliminate TB and could lead to a resurgence of the disease.

A Global Public Health Crisis

The consequences of the U.S. aid freeze extend beyond individual countries. Infectious diseases do not respect borders, and disruptions in one region can lead to outbreaks that threaten global health security. By halting foreign aid, the U.S. is not only putting millions of lives at risk in affected countries but also increasing the risk of global pandemics. Few people have forgotten how quickly COVID-19 spread across the world.

This decision also challenges the credibility and leadership of the U.S. in global health governance. WHO Director-General Tedros has emphasized that the aid suspension is having a “serious impact” on global health efforts, particularly in combating HIV/AIDS and polio. His plea for continued support underscores the critical role that international aid plays in maintaining global health security.

Economic and Social Burden

In addition to the human toll, the economic burden of TB is substantial. People who are unable to work due to illness or long treatment times may face financial hardship. Families may need to spend their savings on healthcare or lose their primary breadwinner. In countries where poverty is already widespread, this can exacerbate existing inequalities and leave people in a cycle of illness and poverty.

Conclusion

As we’ve gone through, the Trump administration’s decision to freeze U.S. foreign aid is having profound consequences for global infectious disease control. Programs combating HIV/AIDS, polio, malaria, and tuberculosis are severely affected, putting millions of lives at risk and threatening to reverse decades of progress.

The United States has provided about 30% of global aid, making it one of the largest donor countries in the world. So, what this freeze means significant. Therefore, it might be a good opportunity to reconsider America’s role. The United States is at a major turning point, and this is also true when it comes to climate change action. We are increasingly being called upon to take matters into our own hands. However, the systems are also starting to come together. Carbon credits are one of the tools available to us. Let’s unite our efforts and confront this challenge together.