Is Global Health Security Worth 0.01% of Our Gross Domestic Product?

Abstract

The global health responses to HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria have long been supported by the United States (US) through significant financial commitments, particularly via initiatives like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and USAID. However, within days of Donald Trump’s second presidential term, the US abruptly ceased most of its contributions to global health programs, severely impacting efforts to control these diseases. This decision violates the right to health, undermining the global health security framework and the collective international responses. HIV, TB, and malaria are not isolated issues; their control is critical to global health security, as these diseases continue to cause millions of deaths worldwide. The cessation of US funding is projected to result in an additional 6 million deaths and 9 million new HIV infections by 2029 alone. TB and malaria also face heightened risks due to drug resistance, insufficient healthcare access, and climate change. The withdrawal of US support for these programs further exacerbates the crisis, particularly in resource-poor regions, where local governments lack the capacity to replace this lost funding. As the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria enters its replenishment cycle, securing the necessary funding becomes increasingly urgent to prevent devastating setbacks in global health progress. The article calls for immediate international action to protect and replenish the Global Fund, emphasizing the need for equitable financial contributions from all countries, including low- and middle-income nations. Furthermore, the governance of global health initiatives must be reformed to ensure fair decision-making power and sustained long-term funding for global health security. The article argues that these actions are not only morally imperative but also strategically essential to maintain global health stability and prevent future health crises.

Keywords: global health security, global health governance