NEJM Interviews NEJM Interview: Christopher Duggan on the effects of ending U.S. foreign-assistance and global health programs.
May 7, 2025
Christopher Duggan, the Director of the Center for Nutrition at Boston Children’s Hospital and a Harvard professor, dives deep into the critical impact of U.S. foreign assistance on global health. He discusses the economic and political ramifications of cutting these programs, emphasizing their role in stabilizing communities and improving health in low-income countries. Duggan also highlights historical successes like oral rehydration therapy, revealing how intertwined our global health initiatives are and why maintaining support is essential for both domestic and international populations.
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Key U.S. Global Health Agencies
- The U.S. had several global health institutions including NIH's Fogarty Center, CDC, and USAID before recent changes.
- These agencies played key roles in global health training, research, and humanitarian assistance.
USAID's Political Origins
- USAID was founded during the Kennedy administration as a political tool against Cold War adversaries.
- The goal was to counteract other global health initiatives and support populations in the Global South.
Oral Rehydration Therapy Success
- NIH and CDC-supported U.S. researchers helped develop oral rehydration therapy in South Asia in the 1960s.
- This therapy has saved millions globally and thousands within the U.S.