Cross Cutting Areas

Many USAID programs operate with a multiple-disease focus. By linking traditionally separate areas through a "cross-cutting" approach, the Agency can create programs with lasting and greater impact on the outcomes of several diseases.

• The Global Health Initiative
  A combined effort by the U.S. Government to create a unified approach to disease interventions, GHI represents the way forward for how the United States delivers health care to people who need our help abroad.
• Environmental Health
  Environmental health has significant impacts on multiple health interventions, such as poor air quality, unsafe water, and poor hygiene. A cross cutting approach to environmental health outcomes strengthens our response to these problems.
• Children in Adversity 
  USAID is working to coordinate programs to ensure that international assistance to vulnerable children is comprehensive, coordinated, effective, and built on evidence-based good practices. 
• Promoting Gender Equality through Health 
  Gender inequality continues to have a negative impact on many health outcomes. USAID’s half a century of experience has shown that health programs that address gender barriers improve development outcomes overall. 
• Innovation and Impact
  USAID is working to promote and reinforce innovative, business-minded approaches and solutions to accelerate impact against some of the world’s most important health challenges, convening industry experts and academic thought leaders to inform our thinking.