US State-By-State Analysis Shows Benefits Of Funding Global Health Research

By Damilola Adepeju for Intellectual Property Watch

In the current atmosphere in the United States of funding cuts for global health threats like malaria and HIV/AIDS by the Trump Administration, a new state-by-state analysis claims to show its profound implications for research and jobs across the country.

The state-by-state analysis of return on innovation, considered ‘first-of-its-kind’, was released on 1 May by the Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC).

The analysis demonstrates the benefits of US global health research funding to the world but also to the states of the US itself. Economically, Americans gain in terms of job creation and contribution of millions of dollars to local economy. For instance, Georgia had $349 million added to its economy and 5,800 local jobs created; in Maryland, more than 30,700 jobs were created for residents. US investments in global health research also preserve America’s technological edge by benefitting local universities and institutions of research.

The analysis highlighted that one of the dangers of these cuts in health research funds is the spread of dangerous diseases to the United States, considering that the world has become highly interconnected.

GHTC Director Jamie Bay Nishi added in a statement that this move is a ‘retreat’ from the world leadership status of the United States on humanitarian and moral grounds.