Washington Post: When the U.S. funds global health, other countries do too
Amy S. Patterson, professor of politics at University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn.

“…Public health experts say that cuts to U.S. global health funding … threaten the health of U.S. citizens, since pathogens such as Zika, influenza, and Ebola can cross borders. For other policymakers and advocates, it is morally unjustifiable to cut health programs that save millions of lives. My research on the politics of health in Africa shows another benefit. U.S.-funded programs interface with domestic politics to create incentives for governments to take action on health issues. … Global health programs — supported by U.S. and other donor countries — helped leaders to prioritize health … Global efforts establish the expectation that governments should promote health. Funding and technical assistance from Western donors, U.N. agencies, and NGOs empower national efforts. … Global health for all depends on getting these politics right” (3/21).