Global Health Aid to Hit 15-Year Low Amid Sweeping U.S.-Led Cuts, Study Warns
Global health aid is set to plunge to its lowest level in 15 years as massive foreign aid reductions—led by the United States—usher in a new era of global health austerity, according to a new study published in The Lancet. Researchers say that the big drop in financing will make it much harder for people in some of the world’s most vulnerable areas to get medical care.
U.S. Cuts Lead the Decline in Global Health Aid
The analysis shows that the United States, which used to give the most money to global health has dropped its spending by a shocking 67% for 2025 compared to the year before. These cuts are part of a larger trend of cutting back on foreign aid that started during Donald Trump’s presidency. The survey also says that other important donors, such the UK (almost 40%), France (33%), and Germany (12%), have made big cuts to their contributions.
Global Health Aid Falls from Pandemic Peak
In 2021, when the COVID-19 crisis was at its worst, global health aid hit an all-time high of $80 billion. Researchers now think the number would decline to just $39 billion in 2025, which would be the lowest sum since 2009. The authors of the report say that this decline is the start of what they call a new “era of global health austerity.”
Somalia, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are some of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that are predicted to be struck the hardest. These countries rely a lot on outside helpMedical aid to pay for things like treating and fort
Urgent Call for Alternative Funding Sources
The research team from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in the U.S. is urging the global community to ramp up health funding through alternative channels. Without new solutions, the study warns that the consequences could be devastating. Another Lancet study estimates that the U.S. aid cuts alone could result in over 14 million preventable deaths by 2030.
A Stark Warning for Global Health Aid Leaders
This warning comes at a bad time since specialists from around the world are meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, for a big HIV science conference. The results show how important it is for countries to work together to stop funding cuts and safeguard important health programs around the world.
The future of global health now hangs in the balance, with millions of lives at stake.
