Most Utahns are not thinking about tuberculosis, polio or malaria on a daily basis. We forget about diseases like these that have been largely controlled or completely eradicated here in the United States. However, in regions around the world where healthcare systems are less developed, these diseases remain extraordinarily prevalent, often claiming lives that could otherwise be saved with proper care and resources.
In 2022, tuberculosis (also known as TB) killed more people than malaria, typhoid, cholera, homicide and war — combined. And in 2023, a total of 1.25 million people died from the disease, meaning tuberculosis has likely regained its status as the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, after being overtaken by COVID-19 for three years. Tuberculosis is now the most deadly infectious disease in the world.
When treated, tuberculosis is completely curable, and has been for nearly 70 years.
In addition to being formally trained in population health and related policies, I have been part of teams working on health-related projects in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and, most frequently, here in the U.S. at federal and state levels. While “global health” may seem like a far-off issue — something that has minimal impact on us here in Utah — this could not be further from the truth.
Last month, the Global Drug Facility, which serves as the main supplier of tuberculosis medications, had the funding that covers all of their operating costs and 10% of its drug budget slashed. In 2024, it supplied tuberculosis treatment to almost 3 million individuals, including 300,000 children. The main research consortium working on prevention, diagnostics and treatment for tuberculosis, known as Smart4TB, was also completely cut. Estimates are suggesting that, because of these changes, new infections are anticipated to increase by 30% due to the terminations. Disruptions in treatment will lead to the development of drug resistance, making future treatment options far more difficult and costly. A single person with untreated tuberculosis could infect 10 to 15 people per year.
Tuberculosis treatments weren’t the only arena impacted by the federal freeze on aid. Some 5,800 USAID contracts were halted, including a $131 million grant for UNICEF’s polio immunization program, used for planning, logistics and delivering vaccines to millions of children. The distribution of bed nets, malaria tests and treatments that could have protected 53 million people against mosquito-borne illnesses were stopped. Last week, health officials in Uganda also announced they were struggling to contain an outbreak of Ebola, unable to procure necessary equipment such as protective gear and diagnostic testing materials after the closure of USAID. Hundreds of millions of dollars of vaccines, medicines and supplies were already purchased using taxpayer dollars. Instead of being distributed to people who desperately need them, they were left unattended in warehouses to rot.
If this was not enough, the Demographic and Health Surveys (also known as the DHS Program), was a data collection initiative spanning over 90 countries since 1984, was completely ended. The DHS Program served as a crucial source of information on topics including maternal and child health, mortality, nutrition, reproductive health, HIV infections and various other health indicators that all formed the foundation for budgeting and planning.
As we all learned from COVID-19, viruses have no respect for geopolitical boundaries. Infectious agents do not follow embargoes. They do not stop infecting people when treatment programs are shuttered. As a result, it’s only a matter of time before these diseases and others come to impact us in Utah. A global health crisis will significantly affect Utah’s economy and public health through travel and trade. Due to many of our state’s unique specialties in healthcare and life sciences, Utah healthcare professionals may also be called upon to participate in global health responses.
Additionally, in December 2024, the University of Utah was announced to be the only U.S.-based academic partner in a multinational consortium aiming to improve infectious disease detection and surveillance across the globe, funded by a $246 million USAID grant. The U. is also home to a CDC-funded Prevention Epicenter centered around antibiotic resistance and microbial threats. As another op-ed in the Tribune noted, LDS Charities is another Utah-based organization that works to address global health issues.
The U.S. invests in global health initiatives to prevent, detect and manage infectious disease threats because halting and treating diseases at their source is one of the best and most economical ways of saving lives and protecting Americans. As we’ve seen with the COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis can have severe consequences, not only for those directly affected but for all of us. We must recognize that our health and well-being as Utahns are inextricably linked to the health of the world, and therefore, supporting global health initiatives and foreign aid is not just an act of compassion; it is a strategic investment in our own future.
Our health depends on it.
(Zoey England) Zoey England works at the intersection of academic research and policy entrepreneurship.
Zoey England works at the intersection of academic research and policy entrepreneurship and has experience in both the private and public sectors. Her passion in global health in a changing climate has led her to health projects based in Jordan and Southeast Asia in addition to around the U.S. Raised in a military family, Zoey is currently based in the Salt Lake area.
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