Lives on Pause: Implications of a U.S. Retreat from Global Health Funding

040 Trent Hall, plus Zoom webinar

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Lives on Pause: Implications of a U.S. Retreat from Global Health Funding

040 Trent Hall, plus Zoom webinar

ABOUT THE EVENT

In his first weeks in office, U.S. President Donald Trump has taken several steps to signal a dramatic shift in U.S. participation in global health programs around the world. In addition to ordering the U.S. to withdraw from the World Health Organization and global agreements to mitigate climate change and prevent future pandemics, the administration issued a pause on all foreign aid, which has created uncertainty about the short- and long-term future of programs such as PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which provides access to lifesaving HIV medications for millions of people around the world.

This Think Global panel will explore the implications of these actions and the changing landscape of global cooperation on public health. Moderated by DGHI director Chris Beyrer, M.D., the panel features experts on global health policy and financing, as well as researchers who will speak to the on-the-ground impact of programs such as PEPFAR. 

SPEAKERS

Chris Beyrer, MD, MPH, (moderator), an internationally recognized epidemiologist who has worked on the front lines of HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 treatment and research, became director of the Duke Global Health Institute in August 2022. Beyrer has led collaborative research on HIV epidemiology, prevention and treatment in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe and Central Asia for more than 30 years. He is past president of the International AIDS Society, the world’s largest body of HIV professionals, and currently serves as an advisor to the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, the World Health Organization, and Physicians for Human Rights. 

Sarah Bermeo, PhD, MA, MPA, is a political economist and associate professor of public policy and political science at Duke University’s Sanford School, where she co-directs the Duke Program on Climate, Resilience, and Mobility. Her research focuses on the intersection of international relations and development, including foreign aid, migration, and climate change. Dr. Bermeo is the author of Targeted Development: Industrialized Country Strategy in a Globalizing World (Oxford, 2018) and has published numerous articles, reports, and policy briefs. She has consulted for the World Bank Group, the US State Department on Guatemala, USAID, and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

Dorothy Dow, MD, MSc is a  physician-scientist whose research focuses on prevention and treatment of HIV in pediatric populations including prevention of mother-to-child transmission and adolescent and young adult populations.  Her current projects target the intersection of HIV treatment adherence and mental health.  She is co-director of the Duke Center For AIDS Research Clinical Core, member of the Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Implementation Science Alliance (called AHISA), co-developer of Sauti ya Vijana (SYV-The Voice of Youth), a peer-led, group based mental health intervention for YLWH in Tanzania, and co-chair of IMPAACT 2016, Evaluating a Group-Based Intervention to Improve Mental Health and ART Adherence Among Youth Living with HIV in Low Resource Settings.

Blandina Mmbaga, MMED, PhD, MD, is a pediatrician at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi, Tanzania. She is a lecturer at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College of the Tumaini University Makumira (KCMUC), and Director of the Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute. Dr. Mmbaga is also the co-site lead for the KCMC-Duke collaboration. As the co-site leader, she provides leadership, advice and supervision; mentors Duke students; and serves as a key liaison between the KCMC-Duke Collaboration and the KCMC Administration.

Jirair Ratevosian, DPH, is a senior global health security and development leader with over 20 years of experience in public service, non-profits, the private sector, and diplomacy. In 2022, he served as Ambassador John Nkengasong’s acting Chief of Staff and led the U.S. government effort to host the 7th Replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, successfully raising US $15.8 billion. From 2011-2014, Jirair served as Legislative Director in the House of Representatives, overseeing budget, appropriations, foreign policy, and public health portfolios for U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA). His contributions led to the reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the signing of landmark foreign aid legislation to support Haiti, and the establishment of the bipartisan Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. 

Gavin Yamey, MD, MPH, MA, has contributed extensively to global health and health policy research. He was the Principal Investigator on a $1.1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the launch of PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Dr. Yamey has served as a commissioner on four Lancet commissions, including the Lancet Commission on Tuberculosis and the Lancet Commission on Investing in Health. He chairs the international advisory committee to the Lancet Commission on Global Hearing Loss and co-chairs the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health's Finance and Economics Working Group. He has been an External Advisor to the WHO and TDR, the Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. 


This is a hybrid event with both in-person and remote attendance options. Attendance in person is encouraged. Lunch will be available.