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A troubling new study in The Lancet warns that recent U.S. cuts to foreign aid could result in 14 million preventable deaths by 2030 — including more than 4.5 million children under five.

Using decades of global health data, researchers modeled the impact of eliminating U.S. global health and development funding, particularly through the dismantling of USAID. Their projections are staggering:

🩺From 2001 to 2021, U.S. global health programs helped save 90.7 million lives across low- and middle-income countries.

📉That’s a 15% drop in all-cause mortality and a 32% reduction in child mortality in countries receiving U.S. support.

🌍U.S. aid contributed to 78% of global progress in reducing child deaths and 25% of HIV-related deaths prevented worldwide during that period.

But with an 83% cut to USAID programming in 2025 and its absorption into the U.S. State Department, that progress is under threat.

Without urgent action, the model predicts:

• 700,000 additional child deaths each year
• Millions of lives lost to HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, and malnutrition
• A collapse of fragile health systems in countries already grappling with climate disasters, debt crises, and conflict

📖 Read the full study:
The social cost of defunding USAID: a global modeling study – The Lancet (2025)

🚨What Can We Do?

You don’t need to be a policymaker to make a difference. Here’s how everyday people can respond:

1. Raise awareness
   Share this report. Talk about it. Make it known that these decisions have life-and-death consequences.
2. Contact your members of Congress
   Urge Congress to restore funding to USAID and protect U.S. global health and development programs. Every voice counts.
3. Advocate for Global Debt Cancellation
   Visit Jubilee USA for more information on the Jubilee 2025 campaign efforts.

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