America First MOU: KFF Tracker of Global Health Agreements
- government unveiled its America First global Health Strategy on September 18, 2025, outlining a revised approach to international health engagement prioritizing U.S. national security and economic interests.
- The strategy centers on three core principles: protecting Americans' health, bolstering global health security, and promoting U.S.
- will prioritize investments in countries deemed strategically crucial and will condition aid on adherence to U.S.standards for transparency and accountability.
America First Global Health Strategy
Table of Contents
The U.S. government unveiled its America First global Health Strategy on September 18, 2025, outlining a revised approach to international health engagement prioritizing U.S. national security and economic interests.
Key Principles of the Strategy
The strategy centers on three core principles: protecting Americans’ health, bolstering global health security, and promoting U.S. leadership in global health. It marks a shift away from multilateral approaches favored by previous administrations, emphasizing bilateral partnerships and direct funding mechanisms that align with U.S. priorities. The report explicitly states a focus on “reciprocal relationships” were partner countries demonstrate a commitment to U.S. objectives.
According to the strategy document, the U.S. will prioritize investments in countries deemed strategically crucial and will condition aid on adherence to U.S.standards for transparency and accountability.
Changes to Funding and Partnerships
The strategy details meaningful changes to U.S. funding for global health initiatives. Funding to the World Health Association (WHO) will be substantially reduced, with a redirection of funds towards bilateral programs managed directly by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC). the report indicates a planned 30% decrease in funding to the WHO over the next fiscal year.
The U.S. will also seek to establish new partnerships with countries that share its strategic interests, particularly in areas such as pandemic preparedness and countering biological threats. A key example cited in the strategy is increased collaboration with the United Kingdom on vaccine development and distribution. On september 20, 2025, the White House announced a $500 million joint investment with the UK in a new global health security fund.
Focus Areas and Priorities
The America First Global Health Strategy identifies several key focus areas, including pandemic preparedness, combating infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria), and strengthening health systems in strategically important countries. The strategy places a particular emphasis on preventing and responding to biological threats, citing concerns about the potential for naturally occurring or deliberately engineered pathogens.
The strategy also prioritizes maternal and child health,but with a focus on programs that promote family planning methods aligned with U.S. values. This has drawn criticism from organizations like Planned Parenthood,which argue that the strategy restricts access to thorough reproductive healthcare. A statement released by Planned Parenthood on September 19, 2025, condemned the strategy as “harmful and misguided.”