The US Provided $13 Billion In Development Assistance For Health In 2016, Less Per Person Than Many Peer Nations

Abstract

Despite dramatic growth between 1990 and 2010, development assistance for health from high-income countries and development agencies to low- and middle-income countries has stagnated, and proposed cuts make future funding uncertain. To further understand international financial flows for health, we examined international contributions from major donor countries. Our findings showed that the United States provided more development assistance for health than any other country, but it provided less than others relative to national population, government spending, and income. Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom stand out when the provision of health assistance is considered relative to these other factors. Seventeen of twenty-three countries did not reach a target that corresponds to an international goal. If all twenty-three countries had reached this goal, an additional $13.3 billion would have been available for global health in 2016. Systematic efforts are needed to encourage countries to meet these targets. Sustained health improvement in low- and middle-income countries will benefit greatly from ongoing international support.

Keywords: Contributors to Development Assistance for Health; Funding for global health; Sources of Development Assistance for Health.

EXHIBIT 1. Total development assistance for health, by funding source, 1990–2016

EXHIBIT 2. Flow of funds (billions) for development assistance for health from sources to both channels and health focus areas, 1990–2016

EXHIBIT 3. Four measures of development assistance for health, 2014–2016

EXHIBIT 4. Development assistance for health relative to national income and health-specific targets, 2014–2016