If the Millions of Lives Saved Weren’t Reason Enough to Reauthorize PEPFAR…Here Are a Few More Reasons

Without a doubt, PEPFAR has saved countless lives across the globe, but the $50 billion price tag has caused Congress to stall and some Americans to waiver. In this tough economic situation, can we afford to spend this much on foreign assistance?

In truth, we can’t afford not to do something about HIV/AIDS and other global health challenges. For those who aren’t convinced solely by humanitarian concern, it is important to remind them that addressing global health issues has positive implications for the U.S. economy. In a new series of state briefs, Families USA’s Global Health Initiative explains that it is in our economic interest to work to improve global health. Read your state’s fact sheet to find out why global health matters to your state. (This is an ongoing effort, so if your state is not yet listed, keep checking in.)

Research conducted in your local universities is an important way that your state can help to improve global health. Families USA’s new report, In Your Own Backyard: How NIH Funding Helps Your State’s Economy, explains that medical research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and conducted on your state’s university campuses brings new jobs, higher wages, and more business activity to your state. At the same time that universities are conducting research to save lives at home and abroad, they’re also giving a significant boost to the state’s economy.

Last week, Families USA and infectious disease expert Dr. David Serwadda from Uganda paid a visit to staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to explain how improved medical technology will make PEPFAR treatment and prevention efforts more effective. Dr. Serwadda explained that in some of the most remote villages in Africa, people have literally come back to life after receiving life-saving drugs through PEPFAR. That alone should be reason enough to reauthorize PEPFAR, but it may also help to let decision makers know about the considerable economic benefits to your state when we improve global health. We hope some of our new resources will help you to make the pitch!

-Kudzai Makomva, Families USA Global Health Initiative

One-third of the world’s population is infected with the bacteria that causes TB, and one in ten of those infected develop active TB disease.

What is the U.S. doing to stop TB? Not enough. U.S. and global efforts to combat TB are falling short.

The U.S. House of Representatives is now considering the Comprehensive TB Elimination Act, which would greatly expand our efforts to combat TB, including the development of new, effective drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines.

How can you help? Tell your legislators to co-sponsor the Comprehensive TB Elimination Act (H.R. 1532). Call 1-800-828-0498.

Your immediate action can help curb the TB pandemic.

The current TB vaccine was introduced in the early 1900s, and over time, its effectiveness has greatly diminished. What is more, strains of TB have developed that are resistant to all of our major anti-TB drugs.

Take action now. Call 1-800-828-0498. Tell your Representative to co-sponsor the Comprehensive TB Elimination Act (H.R. 1531) to prevent the spread of drug resistant TB in the U.S. and to develop new medical tools to fight TB.

Please note that while ALL legislators need to hear from you, it is especially important to call if you are from key, target states(Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia). Click here to find your elected official.

Thank you for fighting TB with us.

Summary of the bill

-Christine Kim, Families USA

You probably know that malaria is spread through mosquitoes, but did you know that it has been used as a treatment for syphilis?

Malaria has been with us a long time and had some interesting roles in history—playing major parts in everything from economic development to military battles. See how much you know about malaria and how much you know about ways you can fight malaria. (Challenge yourself—try to answer all the questions in 30 seconds.)

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1. All of the following US Presidents had malaria except:

a. George Washington
b. John F. Kennedy
c. Franklin Roosevelt
d. Abraham Lincoln

2. During the American Civil War, malaria accounted for how many estimated deaths?

a. 5,000
b. 8,000
c. 10,000
d. 15,000

3. The types of mosquitoes responsible for malaria transmission in the U.S. are still widely prevalent here, meaning malaria could be reintroduced in the U.S.

True or False?

4. About how many people are infected with malaria annually?

a. 20-40 thousand
b. 600-800 thousand
c. 100-200 million
d. 300-500 million

5.President Franklin Roosevelt assembled a panel of experts to evaluate the economic impact of malaria in the US. They concluded that malaria reduced the output of southern states by:

a. 11%
b. 25%
c. 33%
d. 47%

6. It’s estimated that malaria reduces the Gross Domestic Product of some African countries by:

a. 10%
b. 20%
c. 30%
d. 40%

7. What percent of the research budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American government’s biomedical research center, is spent on malaria research for things like new treatments, better prevention, and a vaccine?

a. 0%
b. 0.3%
c. 4.7%
d. 9.2%

8. Challenges in malaria control include which of the following?

a. Rapid spread of antimalarial drug resistance, i.e., current drugs lose effectiveness and new drugs are continually needed.
b. Poverty
c. Increased resistance of vector mosquitoes to insecticides (pyrethroid & DDT)
d. Lack of an effective vaccine
e. All of the above.

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For answers and explanations please click here.

-Christine Kim, Families USA, Global Health Initiative