High level officials from U.S. agency for International development and other government officials have met to discuss the impact of U.S. investment in foreign aid. This investment is supposed to have an effect on improving the lives of people, developing new foreign markets and protecting the U.S. from infectious disease. It supposedly believed by the American people that about twenty-five percent of the federal budget is invested into foreign aid. However the accurate figure is actually to be less than one percent. Leaders from different organizations have met to launch the power of 1%, which is meant to give people a better understanding how U.S. investments in foreign aid will help Americans back at home.
By investing in foreign aid to help improve the health of the international population, there is shown to be a correlation in growth of the economy and security. This is due to higher productivity levels, which saves money and ultimately benefits American Companies. Also by investing in reducing the spread of infectious diseases in other countries, this will help Americans from these diseases as they are less likely to spread across borders.
This article emphasizes the correlation of global health with the global economy, a correlation that many Americans may not recognize. However, it has been proven in the past that genes and germs follow our trade and travel routes. By using money from the US funds to prevent AIDS in Africa, we are essentially reducing the risk that AIDS will travel to the US. This correlation is true for many other dangerous infections abroad like malaria, TB, and H1N1, just to name a few. As more Americans recognize “The Power of 1%” and how it directly affects them, there is the expectation of greater support towards global health investments.
The article can be found here: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-power-of-1-what-americans-get-for-investments-in-global-health-2011-10-03
The figures are very interesting in that the general thought does sway towards people thinking that most of our funds go to foreign aid; finding out that only 1% goes towards it is pretty astounding. As many American's have the viewpoint that we should not be spending any money outside the US until all the problems INSIDE the US are fixed, this article will explain that people in the world are not segregated to land masses; people travel, and outside problems can become inside problems.
ReplyDeleteInvesting in foreign aid is very beneficial to the United States. With our interaction with nations throughout the world, it is only in our countries best interest to protect ourselves from the diseases that spread along trade routes. By funding foreign aid programs, we are potentially building up herd immunization, which is vital in the success of vaccinations. The effects of globalization bring concerns in regards to health and investing in programs to ensure people are taken care of health-wise is essential.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to see that the expectation of US budget to be 25% but in actuality it is less than 1%. Most of the spending today that is done by the US is for the military. US government needs to realize the wasteful military spending and start putting the money to better use such as third world countries and the present recession. If this is done the US will no longer be in a recession and we will have progression.
ReplyDeleteThis article mention some important issues what the Professor had said in lecture. The genes and germs follow our trade and travel routes. Investigate money on foreign, it definitely will benefit our country. For example, the US uses funds to reduce or prevent AID/HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. The US actually will reduce the risk of people who will travel back to the US. Investing in foreign aid not only can improve people’s health in developing countries. At the same time, it also help rise up the economic growth better. So poverty can decrease too. Investing in foreign aid can make a big affect and impact on the poor .At least; the funds of foreign aid should provide the poor basic immunization, so they can reduce the mortality rate.
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