Survey Examines U.S. Public’s Attitudes Toward Global Health Spending

"Survey of Americans on the U.S. Role in Global Health," Kaiser Family Foundation: The survey found that about two-thirds of the U.S. public supports maintaining (39%) or increasing (25%) U.S. government funding to improve health in developing countries. Less than one-quarter, or 23%, of the public said that the government spends too much on global health. According to the survey, levels of support are similar for spending to address HIV/AIDS in developing countries, but the public sense of urgency about HIV/AIDS around the world has declined. The large majority, or 71%, of U.S. residents said that because of the current economic crisis, the country cannot afford to spend more on global health at the moment. The survey also examined perceptions of global health as part of the development agenda. It found that 59% of Americans say fighting terrorism and promoting peace should be a "top priority" for the president and Congress when it comes to helping developing nations, followed by improving education (55%). Next in line and clumped together are reducing poverty (41%), improving health (38%), protecting the environment and fighting climate change (37%), and promoting the rights of women (34%) (Kaiser Family Foundation release, 5/7).