The Global Fund is one of the most effective health organizations on the planet, having helped save over 65 million lives. It works in partnership with governments, businesses, health organizations, and affected communities to accelerate the end of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria as epidemics. Below, we highlight both its incredible impact and its uncertain future.
More than 3,000 children died from malaria every day in Africa in 2002, the year The Global Fund was founded. By 2023, that number had been cut by roughly two-thirds. That’s partly thanks to The Global Fund, which has played a pivotal role in enabling people to protect themselves from this deadly yet preventable disease.
Tuberculosis is the world’s deadliest infectious disease, killing more than 1 million people each year. But thanks to global health programs—including The Global Fund—the number of tuberculosis deaths has been significantly reduced over the past two decades. But there remains much work to do.
Contracting HIV/AIDS was once a death sentence. Now, innovations in treatments make it possible to live a full life. The Global Fund has been crucial for getting treatments to people living in developing countries. As a result, the number of deaths from HIV/AIDS has fallen dramatically over the past two decades.
The Global Fund’s return on investment is massive. Every US$1 invested generates US$19 in health gains and economic returns.
And yet it routinely struggles to raise the resources needed to carry out life-saving work. With its funding replenishment taking place later this year, The Global Fund has raised far less than it needs.
The money exists to provide quality health services to every person on the planet. What’s missing is political will.