A global health funding crisis is putting vital progress against infectious diseases at risk. Over 150 million lives have been saved by vaccines since the 1970s, but recent budget cuts threaten to reverse this success.
Diseases like measles and yellow fever, which were once on the brink of elimination in some areas, are now experiencing outbreaks again. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that funding cuts have put “hard-won gains” in jeopardy.
Measles cases surged by 20% in 2023, with over 10 million reported cases. Yellow fever is also making a comeback, with outbreaks confirmed in Africa and the Americas. WHO, UNICEF, and their partners are sounding the alarm on vaccination efforts, citing misinformation, population growth, and funding cuts as major threats.
Vaccines offer remarkable returns, saving around 4.2 million lives each year. However, falling investment now risks re-emerging diseases once thought to be under control. Experts emphasize that immunization is a cost-effective health intervention, with every dollar invested yielding an estimated $54 in return.
The UNICEF, WHO, and their partners are urging parents, the public, and political leaders to support vaccination programs and ensure long-term investment in vaccines and public health systems.
Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/04/1162546