Global Aid Cuts May Reverse Health Gains

A new peer-reviewed study published in Lancet Global Health warns that declining global aid could severely impact health outcomes in low  and middle income countries (LMICs).

About the Study

• Conducted By: Barcelona Institute for Global Health, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation (via RF Catalytic Capital).
• Scope : Assesses impacts of cuts in Official Development Assistance (ODA) on health outcomes.
• Purpose: Estimate human cost of current and projected aid reductions and highlight risks of reversing development gains.
• Coverage : Low and middle income countries across Africa, Asia (including India), Latin America, and Europe.
• Focus Areas : Child mortality, HIV/AIDS, malaria, nutrition, and health system resilience.

Explore Combo (GS+Optional) Courses

Explore Combo (GS+Optional) Courses

Key Findings of the Study (Lancet Global Health)

• 22.6 million additional deaths by 2030 may occur in low and middle income countries due to global aid cuts.
• 5.4 million under-five child deaths are projected, reversing hard-won child survival gains.
• Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia face the highest risk; Asia’s large population magnifies human costs.
• Official Development Assistance (ODA) reduced child mortality by 39% during 2002–2021.
• HIV/AIDS deaths fell by 70%, while malaria and nutritional deficiency deaths declined by 56% due to aid.
• First decline in global aid since 2018 (in 2024), with major donors cutting contributions after nearly 30 years.
• Without sustained and smarter aid, decades of global health progress could be reversed, weakening health systems.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store

Way Forward

• Sustain and Protect Global Aid: Reverse recent aid cuts and ring-fence funding for high-impact health interventions (child health, HIV/AIDS, malaria, nutrition).
• Country-led Financing Models: Empower Low and Middle Income Countries to design priorities, improve domestic resource mobilisation, and reduce long-term aid dependence.
• Investment in Infrastructure: Invest in primary healthcare, workforce, supply chains, and disease surveillance to withstand funding shocks.
• Target the Most Vulnerable Regions: Prioritise Sub-Saharan Africa and high-population Asian countries where aid cuts have the largest human cost.
• Improve Efficiency and Accountability of Aid: Use data-driven allocation, outcome-based funding, and transparency to maximise health impact per dollar.
• Integrate Health with Development Goals: Align health aid with nutrition, education, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), and climate resilience for durable, long-term gains.

DOWNLOAD PDF