Advocacy Update: Top Things to Know This Week
State and USAID releases FY24 Budget Annexes
Following the release of the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2024 Budget Request in March, the State Department and the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have released their FY24 Congressional Budget Justification, which describes the funding required to carry out their missions worldwide.
House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro releases statement on the introduction of House Republicans’ spending cuts bill
On April 19, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) released a statement on the introduction of House Republicans’ spending cuts bill. Rep. DeLauro stated the proposed bill would force a cut of 22 percent for critical government programs, a cut far lower than the fiscal year 2022 enacted level. More information on the impacts of proposed House Republican cuts can be found here.
INB releases progress report on pandemic accord negotiations ahead of WHA76
On March 28, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) released a progress report ahead of the 76th World Health Assembly in May 2023. The report provides a summary of the INB’s five meetings, including two resumed sessions of its first meeting. It also noted that the INB will, pursuant to its agreed timeline and deliverables, hold four additional sessions (including two “two-week marathon” sessions) in the first quarter of 2024, as well as two additional sessions of the drafting group in 2023. GHC’ continues to engage in INB discussions as a non-State actor in official relations with WHO. GHC’s input on the INB Zero Draft can be found here.
USAID Administrator Samantha Power delivers address on the future of global health
On April 20, USAID Administrator Samantha Power delivered a speech at the Center for Global Development on reclaiming and accelerating public health progress around the world. She discussed that immediate global action is needed to reverse the staggering decline in global life expectancy and to support health systems weakened by COVID-19, the global food crisis, ongoing conflicts, and changing climate. Her address can be viewed here.
USAID launches Global Health R&D Strategy
On March 14, USAID presented its new Global Health Research and Development Strategy 2023-2028. This strategy describes USAID’s renewed commitment to research and development and the strengthening of both local health research and development capacity and global research and development partnerships.
HHS Office of Global Affairs Listening Session for WHA76
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),who is charged with leading the U.S. delegation to the 76th World Health Assembly, will convene a Stakeholder Listening Session on Wednesday May 3, 2023, from 10:00 am. to 12:00 pm EDT. The listening session will discuss resolutions and other decisions to be covered at the World Health Assembly and topics will include those found in the agenda. A provisional agenda of WHA76 can be found here.
GHC provides input to WGIHR ahead of its third meeting
The Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (WGIHR) held its third meeting from April 17-20, 2023 to negotiate 15 sets of proposed amendments. GHC strongly supports ongoing negotiations of the WGIHR as it considers proposed targeted amendments to the IHRs. GHC’s input on proposed IHR amendments can be found here.
WHO has appoints five new senior figures
On April 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) appointed five new senior figures to its headquarters leadership team in Geneva following the reappointment of Dr. Tedros to his second five-year term as Director-General. The new members of the headquarters leadership team are Dr. Jeremy Farrar who will become WHO’s Chief Scientist; Dr. Ailan Li who will become Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage, Healthier Populations; Dr. Yukiko Nakatani who will become Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products; Dr. Razia Pendse who will become the Chef de Cabinet; and Dr. Jérôme Salomon who will become Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage.
WHO turns 75
On April 7, the WHO celebrated its 75th anniversary. Over the past seven decades, the WHO has worked to improve the level of health of all people, to ensure everyone has equitable access to quality and affordable health services, and to protect the world against novel and known pathogens. To mark this anniversary, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros has called on governments and leaders to take action to protect and invest in health and care workers who are at the forefront of the response to health and climate emergencies.
Advocacy Action
GHC releases 2023 Global Health Briefing Book
Every two years, Global Health Council produces the Global Health Briefing Book to support Congress in its work of building a stronger, more holistic, and more equitable global health advocacy agenda. Each brief contained within the book provides a snapshot of the current state of a particular disease or issue area and offers recommendations for action. Our full report, as well as individual briefs, can be found here.
KFF releases analysis on PEPFAR’s Beneficiaries
On April 14, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released an analysis of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)’s beneficiaries. The analysis notes that in 2022, PEPFAR provided testing services to 64.1 million people, including 2.2 million who newly tested positive for HIV, along with supporting the provision of antiretroviral treatment to 19.9 million people, or about three-quarters of all people living with HIV in PEPFAR-supported countries.