USAID's termination celebrated by Rubio, study suggests that its abolition could lead to 14 million deaths in the next half-decade

USAID's termination celebrated by Rubio, study suggests that its abolition could lead to 14 million deaths in the next half-decade

The Trump administration's decision to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has stirred up a storm of controversy and raised concerns about the future of U.S. foreign aid and development work.

**Implications**

The administration's 2026 budget request slashes USAID funding to just 15% of its previous levels, effectively terminating most programs and staff. This move will result in the firing of over 8,000 USAID employees and the elimination of technical assistance, policy reform, and institutional strengthening programs in over 100 developing countries.

The remaining programs will be consolidated under the Department of State, aiming to align all foreign assistance strictly with U.S. foreign policy interests. However, experts warn that these changes could have devastating consequences, with up to 160,000 deaths from malaria, 200,000 children being paralyzed from vaccine-preventable polio in the next decade, and at least 1 million children without treatment for malnutrition.

**Controversies**

The dismantling of USAID has been met with criticism, particularly over the question of its purpose and effectiveness. Some administration figures, including Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have accused USAID of operating independently of U.S. national interests. Rubio insists that all foreign aid must align with U.S. foreign policy, implying that USAID has failed in this regard.

Moreover, critics argue that the eradication of USAID occurred without a clear national security strategy to justify the move, leading to concerns about the opportunistic nature of the policy and its long-term consequences for U.S. global leadership and humanitarian commitments.

Public health advocates and foreign service professionals have raised alarms about the rapid freeze and dismantling of USAID programs, emphasizing that cutting investments critical to global health and stability ultimately harms American interests and global stability.

A study published in The Lancet estimates that the end of USAID could contribute to 14 million deaths in the next five years, with strong associations found between the funding cuts and malaria, tropical diseases, diarrhoeal disease, nutritional deficiencies, lower respiratory infections, maternal mortality, and tuberculosis. The study suggests that the crisis would stem from a conscious and avoidable policy choice.

In conclusion, the end of USAID under the Trump administration has sparked widespread controversy due to its abrupt and sweeping cuts that disrupt decades of U.S. foreign aid and development work, with serious humanitarian impacts and debates over the alignment of aid with national interests versus development goals.

1. Critics question the wisdom of the Trump administration's decision to dismantle USAID, as the move raises concerns about the future of U.S. foreign aid and development work.
2. The 2026 budget request reduces USAID funding to merely 15% of its previous levels, leading to the elimination of technical assistance, policy reform, and institutional strengthening programs.
3. The firing of over 8,000 USAID employees and the elimination of these programs in over 100 developing countries could result in up to 160,000 deaths from malaria and 200,000 children being paralyzed from vaccine-preventable polio over the next decade.
4. Some administration figures, such as Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have accused USAID of operating independently of U.S. national interests.
5. Rubio argues that all foreign aid should align with U.S. foreign policy, suggesting that USAID has failed in this regard.
6. The dismantling of USAID lacks a clear national security strategy, leading to concerns about the opportunistic nature of the policy and its long-term consequences for U.S. global leadership and humanitarian commitments.
7. Public health advocates and foreign service professionals have raised alarms about the rapid freeze and dismantling of USAID programs.
8. They argue that cutting investments critical to global health and stability ultimately harms American interests and global stability.
9. A study published in The Lancet estimates that the end of USAID could contribute to 14 million deaths in the next five years, with strong associations found between the funding cuts and various medical conditions, including malaria, tropical diseases, diarrhoeal disease, nutritional deficiencies, and tuberculosis.
10. The study suggests that the crisis would stem from a conscious and avoidable policy choice.
11. Health-and-wellness initiatives in the workplace, such as therapies-and-treatments for chronic diseases and nutrition programs, play a crucial role in addressing the negative health consequences of the USAID cuts.
12. The Trump administration's decision to dismantle USAID also impacts other sectors, such as environmental-science and climate-change efforts, as USAID has traditionally provided funding to support research and mitigation initiatives.
13. The erosion of USAID funding can have far-reaching consequences for developing countries, from issues related to water-management and environmental pollution to agribusiness development and crop diversification.
14. The Trump administration's decision to dismantle USAID has profound implications for women's-health, reproductive rights, and access to medical services, as USAID has historically provided support for maternal health and family planning programs.
15. In the realm of mental-health, USAID has also supported initiatives aimed at reducing stigma and increasing access to services for people suffering from mental illnesses, particularly in low-income countries.
16. The cuts to USAID will have significant ramifications for men's-health, as the agency has funded initiatives focusing on issues such as sexually-transmitted diseases, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
17. The reduction in USAID funding will also impact research into neurological-disorders and other medical conditions like cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive-health, eye-health, hearing problems, skin-conditions, and autoimmune-disorders, potentially slowing progress in these areas.

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