Cuts to U.S. foreign aid could drive millions of new TB cases and deaths, finds new study

Source: Medical XPress

U.S. foreign aid cuts could result in over 10 million additional tuberculosis (TB) cases and 2.5 million more deaths in the next years, across 26 countries with high TB burden, found a study by Center for Modeling and Analysis, the U.S., and Stop TB Partnership, Switzerland published in PLOS Global Public Health.

The U.S.'s financial support has played a significant role in developing and running global health programs, particularly in combating diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis (TB).

In 2024 alone, U.S. contributions made up more than 55% of all external funds available for TB programs. The abrupt funding freeze and subsequent cuts in early 2025 led to many programs worldwide closing their doors.

Funding cuts to USAID's TB programs are causing major disruptions in critical areas such as diagnosis and treatment of both regular and drug-resistant TB, taking care of people with TB-HIV co-infection, and preventing new infections.

Read more: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-foreign-aid-millions-tb-cases.html