A statement from LSHTM's Executive Team on the threats to global health programmes and research
Over the last month we have seen political changes in the USA shake the foundations of societies, economies and institutions around the world. Science itself is under siege - eroded by misinformation, shrinking funding, and unprecedented cuts to international development budgets. These changes, including a shift in priorities away from health, equity, and sustainable development, are already having profound impacts on science and health both in the USA and globally. At the same time the UK has massively reduced its own overseas development assistance.
Like other institutions we are still working to understand what this will mean for the long-term future of global health. What we know already is that the effects of these reductions are already visible, as critical health programmes are being decimated and much of the vital work of the World Health Organization is threatened. Countless health workers are losing their jobs and essential infrastructures are being dismantled. We share the shock and pain felt by our partners at the speed and severity of these cuts as we all come to terms with this unwelcome new reality.
The knock-on effects of these changes will be devastating for human health worldwide. Infectious diseases such as HIV, TB and malaria will already be spreading because people are not able to access the essential drug treatments needed to control them. Over time we will see deteriorations in maternal and child health, in non-communicable disease, in nutrition, and in mental health as health services are restricted or closed altogether.
Decades of hard-won progress achieved through international partnership working are being reversed. Millions of people will suffer from preventable morbidity, and as yet unknown numbers will die
As well as the direct effects on health, we will also see reductions in research capacity, with capabilities dismantled and human expertise lost.
LSHTM's mission is to improve health and health equity both in the UK and worldwide through research and education. We will continue to work with our partners to do all we can to reduce the terrible impact of the recent funding cuts and political decisions.
Many institutions, for so long leading lights in the global effort to respond to disease outbreaks and protect communities from disease, are under attack, in particular for activities regarded as politically contentious. Freedom of academic inquiry and speech are central to civil society and democracy, and we remain strong advocates for these freedoms.
We will continue to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion, not just because it's the right thing to do but because inclusive research delivers better health outcomes for everyone.
We will continue to educate and support the next generation of health scientists and leaders because the world needs them now more than ever. Their expertise, knowledge and ideas will be essential to charting a course out of this chaos that does not leave our health poorer and our societies and economies weaker.
Facing up to this challenge will require a new kind of solidarity and a reinvigorated belief in the mission of global health. We call on institutions and policy-makers around the world to work together to mitigate the damaging impacts of these changes that will lead to countless suffering and deaths, and that will reverse decades of progress in human health. We owe it to the healthcare professionals on the frontline, and those vulnerable communities who will suffer most, to argue that a better, brighter future for our shared health is possible.
