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  • A promotional image for the the KFF Health Policy 101 U.S. Government and Global Health

    The U.S. Government and Global Health

    Feature

    This Health Policy 101 chapter outlines the U.S. government's historical efforts in global health, which aim to improve health in low- and middle-income countries. While the U.S. has been engaged in international health activities for over a century and has historically been the largest funder and implementer of global health programs worldwide, it is currently undergoing a fundamental shift, with a significantly reduced footprint and role. Key issues addressed include the future direction of U.S. global health leadership, the ability of global health implementers and other donors to continue efforts, and the future role of multilateral institutions in global health.

  • The International Health Regulations and the U.S.: Implications of an Amended Agreement

    Issue Brief

    This brief reviews the proposed revisions to the World Health Organization-based agreement known as the International Health Regulations (IHR), and the implications for the U.S. WHO member states are expected to adopt the revised IHR at the World Health Assembly meeting this year. The U.S. government has been a leading proponent of many of the expected revisions to the IHR. In this analysis we also evaluate some of the criticisms of the revisions to the IHR.

  • KFF Health Tracking Poll February 2025: The Public’s Views on Global Health and USAID

    Feature

    This poll finds most of the public believe the cutbacks at USAID will lead to increases in illness and death in low-income countries. Nearly half say it will reduce the U.S. budget. Most of the public also overestimates the share of the federal budget that is spent on foreign aid, and when informed it is about 1% of the federal budget, the share who want to reduce spending drops.

  • The COVAX Humanitarian Buffer for COVID-19 Vaccines: Review and Assessment of Policy Implications

    Issue Brief

    In this Issue Brief we review and assess the COVAX Humanitarian Buffer mechanism, which is part of the effort to share Covid vaccines globally. The Buffer is intended to direct vaccines to vulnerable people like refugees and others facing humanitarian emergencies during the pandemic, and was supported by the US and many other donors and organizations. However, it faced many challenges such as liability and indemnification issues for using newly developed vaccines, restricted access to vaccines and funding, and difficult and complex application, review, and implementation processes. We discuss these challenges and also consider implications of the Buffer experience for future pandemic preparedness and response efforts.

  • Assessing the Role of Treaties, Conventions, Institutions, and Other International Agreements in the Global COVID-19 Response: Implications for the Future

    Issue Brief

    This issue brief examines existing treaties and other global health agreements to assess whether they have been utilized for the COVID-19 pandemic response and whether they contain pandemic preparedness and response components in their mandates. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged and revealed gaps in global health governance systems, prompting stakeholders to reevaluate existing frameworks and discuss new agreements aimed at addressing future pandemics. To help inform these discussions, we evaluate existing global health agreements to assess their role in pandemic preparedness and response efforts, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • U.S. Global Health Budget Tracker

    Feature

    This tracker provides regularly updated information on U.S. government funding for global health. It includes historical trends and tracks funding levels for U.S. global health efforts through bilateral and multilateral contributions and by program area and agency.

  • Getting to Zero: Saving Children’s Lives with Vaccines

    Event Date:
    Event

    As one of the cornerstones of global health, widespread immunization through vaccines is critical to reducing child mortality and eradicating polio, two goals endorsed by the international community and particularly emphasized by the U.S. government. This live, interactive webcast explores the importance of vaccines in global child survival efforts, including the role of the U.S. government, the GAVI Alliance, and NGOs. Panelists discuss the current state of childhood immunization, global investments in vaccines, and the opportunities and challenges faced by key stakeholders. This webcast is part of "U.S. Global Health Policy: In Focus", a Kaiser Family Foundation studio webcast series devoted to discussing current and critical issues facing the U.S.

  • Web Briefing for Media: The Response to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa

    Event Date:
    Event

    President Obama announced an increased effort by the United States to respond to the spread of Ebola in West Africa as the scale of the outbreak continues to grow. What has the global response been so far? How has the United States contributed? What will the response be going forward, in the coming weeks and months? What key lessons can be learned from this outbreak, and what can be learned by comparing the outbreak to other large-scale disasters?