Science Friday What Does Dismantling USAID Mean For Global Health?
Mar 10, 2025
Dr. Atul Gawande, a surgeon and former head of global health at USAID, and Dr. Salim Abdool Karim, an epidemiologist and director at the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, delve into the fallout from the U.S. dismantling USAID. They discuss the devastating effects of funding cuts on vital health initiatives battling diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. The conversation highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by clinical trial participants and the geopolitical ramifications of U.S. withdrawal from global health leadership, especially as rivals like China rise.
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Intravaginal Ring Study Halted
- Dr. Salim Abdool Karim's HIV prevention research in South Africa, using intravaginal rings, was halted by USAID funding cuts.
- Despite a stop-work order, his team continued patient care with their own funds, prioritizing ethical obligations.
Global Health Impacts US Health
- Atul Gawande argues that cutting global health initiatives is detrimental to U.S. interests.
- This can lead to a resurgence of diseases like polio, measles, and tuberculosis within the U.S. borders, posing a direct threat.
US Retreats from Global Health Leadership
- The Trump administration's approach signals a U.S. retreat from global health leadership.
- This creates a void for other nations like China and Russia to potentially fill.