All health is Global
getty
ASTMH Tropical Medicine Meeting
The recent meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene highlighted how global funding cuts and changes in priorities have impacted public health and pandemic preparedness.
This conference serves as a platform for global cooperation, knowledge exchange, and technological advancements in health. The decrease in attendance this year was attributed to funding cuts, job losses, and visa challenges, especially affecting international students and US government representatives. The absence of CDC speakers was notable due to the government shutdown.
Global Public Health – Wafaa El-Sadr
In the opening session, Wafaa El-Sadr discussed HIV treatment access disparities and the impact of programs like PEPFAR. She emphasized the need for continued funding and innovation in global health.
El-Sadr highlighted the importance of addressing emerging health threats such as antimicrobial resistance and climate change-induced displacement, underscoring the challenges posed by the US withdrawal from the WHO.
Why The U.S. Should Care About Global Health – Sten Vermund
Sten Vermund stressed the significance of global health initiatives and the repercussions of US isolationism. He pointed out past failures in response to outbreaks like Ebola and emphasized the importance of international collaborations in disease control.
Vermund highlighted the dual benefits of investing in global health, citing examples of successful programs like PEPFAR and the impact of canceled initiatives on drug development and disease prevention. He raised concerns about funding cuts impacting vital research and public health programs.
The research cuts have significantly weakened our pandemic preparedness, according to Vermund. He highlighted the importance of soft diplomacy, citing China’s successful initiatives in Africa compared to the U.S. withdrawal from WHO funding. The loss of key CDC officials such as Daniel Jernigan, Demetre Daskalakis, and Deb Houry has further impacted our ability to respond to outbreaks effectively. Jernigan emphasized the negative effects of funding cuts on various CDC programs, leading to a shortage of staff and hindering rapid response efforts. The lack of scientific expertise within the CDC’s leadership is a major concern, as young scientists are struggling to find employment in the current market. The former CDC officials raised alarms about the dismantling of the CDC and its implications for our country’s future safety. Daskalakis expressed concerns about the U.S. making aid transactions for intelligence, potentially compromising global health efforts. The need for perpetual preparedness in the face of emerging infectious diseases was emphasized by Wafaa El-Sadr, echoing Dr. Anthony Fauci’s statement that “it’s never over.” Could you please rephrase that?
