03/03/2025

Changes in U.S. Funding of World Healthcare

- from the Advocacy Committee

WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1948 and has been the instrument through which the international health community tackles global health threats, such as pandemics. On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to start the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO over the next 12 months. The U.S. Provides WHO with around 18% of its annual funding.

USAID
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was established by then-President John F Kennedy in 1961 when Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act to set up USAID as an agency independent from the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. is the world’s largest donor of humanitarian aid, giving $13.9 billion in 2024. More than 10,000 people worked at USAID. On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to freeze all foreign aid for 90 days while each foreign assistance program is reviewed. The USAID building in Washington DC has been closed and effective February 23, 2025, the positions of at least 1,600 positions globally have been eliminated and 4,200 workers have been placed on administrative leave. About 600 staff will continue the work of the organization.

PEPFAR
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been a program within the U.S. Department of State for over 20 years and is administered by USAID in 55 nations. PEPFAR supported HIV programs in sub-Saharan Africa, in addition to other countries, with more than $6.5 billion in humanitarian assistance in 2024. PEPFAR funding accounts for 90% of the use of the HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, use in 2 million people outside of the U.S. On February 1, 2025, The Department of State limited PEPFAR funding to focus on preventing AIDS transmission between mothers and their children.

The IHCNO believes that the United States’ pull-back from global participation in the world’s health is a move in the wrong direction. Health and healthcare around the world are connected, not isolated; all countries need to work together to promote health around the world for the health and well-being of all people. The IHCNO remains committed to equitable and compassionate humanitarian care in a turbulent world. We will continue to advocate for high-quality home-based nursing care everywhere.