Health Areas

USAID’s global health efforts, grounded in investments in health systems strengthening and breakthrough innovation, are focused around three strategic priorities: Preventing child and maternal deaths; controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic; and combating infectious diseases. Learn more about our different health areas below.

Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths

Through efforts in family planning, maternal and child health, malaria, and nutrition, USAID works to prevent child and maternal deaths by helping women and children access essential, and often life saving, health services.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) advances and supports voluntary family planning and reproductive health programs in 41 countries across the globe.

USAID’s maternal and child survival programs envision a world where all women, newborns, and children survive and are healthy and able to reach their full potential, contributing to the development of their communities and countries.

USAID has been committed to fighting malaria since the 1950s. The Agency works closely with the governments of malaria endemic countries to strengthen their capacity to prevent and treat the disease.

Good nutrition is essential to the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities, and entire nations. Nutrition is core to the development objectives USAID works to achieve every day. Almost half of deaths for children under five years of age are attributed to malnutrition, and those children who survive malnutrition have compromised cognitive and physical development.

Combating Infectious Diseases

In an increasingly interconnected society, a health threat anywhere is a threat everywhere. For decades, USAID has been a leader in the fight against infectious diseases, including malaria, through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative; HIV/AIDS, through PEPFAR; tuberculosis; neglected tropical diseases; pandemic influenza, and other global health security challenges.

USAID focuses their international investments on strengthening tuberculosis (TB) programs in 23 countries with high rates of TB, drug-resistant TB and HIV-associated TB.

USAID focuses on 5 of the most common neglected tropical diseases, including: lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, river blindness, schistosomiasis, and intestinal worms.

Epidemic-prone infectious disease threats do not respect national boundaries and can spread rapidly, jeopardizing the health, security, and prosperity of every country — including the United States.

Controlling the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Since 1986, USAID's HIV/AIDS program has been on the forefront of the global AIDS crisis, providing strategic direction, leadership, and expertise to help control one of the world’s most serious public health challenges.

The Office of HIV/AIDS provides global leadership to maximize the impact of USAID's overall response to HIV and AIDS. USAID also supports country-led efforts to combat the complex challenges of HIV and AIDS in 35 countries around the world.

Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths

Family Planning and Reproductive Health

Maternal and Child Health

Malaria

Nutrition

Combating Infectious Diseases

Tuberculosis

Neglected Tropical Diseases

Global Health Security

Controlling the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

HIV and AIDS

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