A new study published in The Lancet warns that over 14 million people — including 4.5 million children under five — could die by 2030 due to massive cuts to U.S. foreign aid under the Trump administration.
The researchers found that USAID programs previously prevented 91 million deaths from 2001 to 2021, largely through disease prevention and health support in developing nations.
The 83% reduction in funding and similar moves by European donors threaten to reverse decades of global health progress.
Experts compared the potential death toll to that of a global pandemic or major war, calling for urgent action to restore aid.
Despite its effectiveness, USAID once accounted for just 0.3% of U.S. federal spending, or roughly 17 cents per day per citizen.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 1, 2025
