Americans Can Afford To Invest More In Global Health

“Based on the costs associated with various health commodities and programs, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, has estimated that the average U.S. taxpayer’s global health contribution” — about $14 — “enables the delivery of HIV/AIDS treatment for one person for two and a half weeks, or malaria treatment for 26 people, or combination vaccines that prevent a variety of diseases for two children,” Chris Collins, vice president and director of public policy at amfAR, writes in the Huffington Post’s “Impact” blog. “If the average taxpayer invested $25 a year in global health through his or her taxes, that would support HIV/AIDS treatment for one person for nearly a month, or malaria treatment for 46 people, or combination vaccines for about four children,” he continues, and provides a link to “an infographic that illustrates what taxpayer contributions to global health buy.” He states, “U.S.-funded global health programs have made an enormous impact over the last decade,” and he provides supporting statistics from two separate studies. “U.S. investments in foreign assistance save the lives of the world’s neediest and serve U.S. diplomatic interests,” Collins writes, concluding, “Now is the time to invest in global health and turn the corner on AIDS and other global health priorities. Given the enormous payoffs, America can afford to do more” (7/6).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400
Washington Offices and Barbara Jordan Conference Center: 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone 202-347-5270

www.kff.org | Email Alerts: kff.org/email | facebook.com/KFF | twitter.com/kff

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.