Preventing Pandemics from Reaching our Shores

Recent years have shown that an outbreak of disease anywhere can become a threat everywhere. U.S.-funded initiatives were on the front lines of pandemic prevention, until they were scaled back in early 2025. A4AL advocates restoring and expanding programs that monitor emerging viruses and train disease responders. For example, USAID’s PREDICT project (2009–2019) identified nearly 1,000 new viruses, including dangerous Ebola and coronavirus strains, and trained thousands of local experts to detect outbreaks. Similarly, the CDC’s Global Health Security effort trained frontline workers in dozens of countries to spot and stop epidemics at the source. These efforts have paid dividends. When a new Ebola outbreak hit Congo in 2018, CDC-trained “disease detectives” helped contain it rapidly on the ground. Such programs act as an early warning system for the world. A4AL presses for vigorous investment in global surveillance, laboratory capacity, and rapid response teams, the toolkit that can prevent the next pandemic.

Invest Now or Pay Later

If we ignore infectious disease threats, the cost is staggering. The COVID-19 pandemic drove this lesson home: it has cost the global economy an estimated $12.5 trillion in lost output through 2024, to say nothing of the human toll. By contrast, strengthening global health systems is extremely cost-effective. Studies show that a relatively small investment (tens of billions of dollars) in worldwide vaccination and preparedness could avert trillions in economic damage. In other words, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. A4AL calls on leaders to restore funding to proven programs that monitor new influenza strains, contain deadly pathogens, and improve healthcare in vulnerable regions. Every American has a stake in this fight: stopping diseases abroad keeps our families safe at home. Whether it’s maintaining robust HIV/AIDS treatment or preparing for the next viral threat, sustained U.S. leadership in global health is both a moral imperative and a strategic investment in our future.