The US election’s stakes for global health

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🗞️ Driving the news: The upcoming U.S. election could significantly shape global health policies, particularly on pandemic preparedness, reproductive rights, and international health funding
• Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have starkly different stances on these issues, including support for the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding for initiatives like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

🔭 The context: Under WHO negotiations, a proposed pandemic agreement could require drugmakers to share resources globally, which Harris is expected to support but Trump may oppose, potentially withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO
• This aligns with Trump’s previous stance in 2020, and a similar approach could undermine efforts to create binding global health obligations

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The election outcome could either strengthen global health cooperation or weaken it, particularly affecting funding for initiatives targeting HIV/AIDS, pandemic readiness, and reproductive health, where U.S. contributions are critical

⏭️ What's next: If Harris wins, public health advocates anticipate continued U.S. support for global health funding, while a Trump administration could impose restrictions, particularly affecting reproductive health funding and other areas supported by U.S. aid

💬 One quote: “If America’s against it, it’s just not gonna happen,” warns Larry Gostin, director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University

📈 One stat: The U.S. contributes around $12 billion annually to global health initiatives

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