How U.S. aid cuts impact public health

After dealing with COVID-19, mpox, Ebola scares and now a measles outbreak, most people understand how important public health is. When diseases aren’t controlled, they can harm communities, hurt the economy and take lives.

Recent history is clear: Diseases don’t respect borders. Protecting public health everywhere requires global efforts to stop, treat and control outbreaks before they get worse.

Unfortunately, the United States government’s decision to terminate thousands of humanitarian aid programs puts public and global health at risk. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of many organizations that have been forced to stop U.S.-funded programs for preventing and treating infectious diseases worldwide. This increases the chance of diseases spreading—and puts all of us at risk.

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The consequence of cutting health programs

The U.S. government’s decision to end programs that treat and prevent communicable diseases will have serious consequences—not just for vulnerable communities that depend on this aid but also for public health in the U.S. and beyond.

Cutting funding to global health programs isn’t just about withdrawing aid. It increases the risk of infectious disease outbreaks that could impact everyone. Without prevention and treatment efforts, diseases are more likely to spread unchecked, mutate and become harder to control.

This creates a higher risk of future global health crises that could threaten lives worldwide. Investing in global health isn’t just humanitarian. It’s essential for protecting public health everywhere.

An IRC doctor treats a young girl at an IRC stabilization center in Nigeria.

Nearly 80% of outpatient visits at the IRC’s 3,300 health facilities worldwide are for infectious diseases like malaria, dengue and HIV/AIDS. Our programs are integral to helping vulnerable groups survive and to stop diseases from spreading.

Photo: Karl Bergbom for the IRC

Communities are losing access to life-saving programs

For decades, U.S.-funded global health programs have saved millions of lives in vulnerable communities while improving long-term health, economic stability and security. For example, USAID’s polio eradication efforts have saved 10 million children from life-altering paralysis, helping people live healthier and more productive lives.

Now, with the termination of critical aid programs, millions of people—especially children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups—are at greater risk of severe illness and death.

We see the impacts clearly in our own work: Nearly 80% of visits to the IRC's 3,300 health facilities around the world are for infectious diseases like malaria, dengue and HIV/AIDS. Without these services, treatable diseases will claim more lives, infections will spread, and the risk of mutations and future global health crises will grow.

Learn more about how aid cuts are affecting our work

An IRC staff member delivers vaccinations to students in Sierra Leone.

Vaccinations are a pillar of global health. The IRC works with community outreach and mobile vaccination teams to deliver a variety of vaccinations including those for malaria, tetanus, diphtheria, HPV and COVID-19.

Photo: Frédéric Schmuziger for the IRC

Why global health funding cuts matter for the U.S.

Preventing global health threats starts with detection, treatment and containment. Organizations like the IRC work to fight illness and disease all over the world, from providing clean water and sanitation, to preventing and controlling infectious disease, to immunizing millions of children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Cutting global health programs doesn’t just have health impacts—it also puts the U.S. economy and security at risk. Disease outbreaks can disrupt international markets and supply chains, affecting American businesses and consumers. They can also destabilize regions, leading to more migration, displacement and conflict.

An IRC health care staff member conducts a visual exam of a patient's arm at an IRC clinic in Kenya.

In 2024, the IRC launched responses to the mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Uganda. Containing local outbreaks is key to maintaining local and global health security.

Photo: Fahmo Mohammed for the IRC

What needs to happen now?

The IRC has been a longstanding partner of USAID and the U.S. State Department, working tirelessly to prevent and treat communicable diseases in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Tragically, recent funding cuts have ended the IRC’s U.S.-funded work on preventing and treating infectious diseases.

The consequences of these cuts will be felt around the world. This decision is directly contrary to the Administration’s policy to make America stronger, safer and more prosperous. Aid cuts will inevitably cost lives, increase global security risks and undermine U.S. credibility.

We urge the current U.S. administration to reconsider the decision and restore these vital programs.

How can I support vital health programs?

Now, more than ever, your support is urgently needed to help humanitarian organizations continue to deliver lifesaving services.

Donate: Financial contributions are key for trusted organizations like the IRC that prevent, treat and contain infectious diseases. Your donation can empower our work in the U.S. and more than 40 countries worldwide.