The Case for Global Health Investment: Christians Speak Out
Recorded at the CCIH 2025 Biennial Conference, this video features a candid conversation with three leaders in global health on the real impact of recent funding cuts—and the case for why high-income countries should still invest in health programs in low- and middle-income countries. From protecting global populations and economies to nurturing self-reliance and innovation in communities, the speakers emphasize both the urgency of the moment and the unexpected hope it has sparked.
We hear from:
- Mark Chataway, Managing Partner, Global Health Practice, Finn Partners
- Patricia Kisare, Program Director for International Policy Advocacy, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Cynthia Bauer, Executive Director, Kupenda for the Children
CCIH Resource Hub for Christians
The termination of most US foreign assistance caused massive disruptions to life-saving work—including the work of Christian organizations—across the globe. As we navigate toward new funding models for countries and organizations, CCIH is providing resources to help advocate for US investments that save lives and ensure global health security for all nations.
We’ve gathered some tools to help you:
PRAY: Pray for the people affected, for a solution, and for grace and enlightenment for decision-makers.
ADVOCATE: Inform our communities, policymakers, and others. You may consider these advocacy points. In addition, CCIH is partnering with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Islamic Relief USA on advocacy, with two advocacy campaign portals designed for faith-based advocates to help U.S.-based CCIH members quickly contact their representatives. Access the Safer and Stronger Advocacy Campaign Portal with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition or the End AIDS not PEPFAR advocacy portal with Islamic Relief USA.
CARE: Care for your mental health and support your colleagues.
Faith-based Health Services Partner with the United States for Global Health Security
In many low- and middle-income countries, Christian and other faith-based health services play a significant and essential role in providing healthcare to individuals who may otherwise have limited or no access to medical services. For example, 22 Christian health networks in 17 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa reported 8,355 health assets in 2023. The data was compiled and analyzed by the Christian Health Asset Mapping Consortium in partnership with the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform. While these faith-based health providers are highly motivated to care for those in need, their work was often leveraged by US foreign assistance helping them reach more people with life-saving care before the termination of US-funded health programs. See CCIH fact sheet on how FBOs and the US government partnered to reach people with care, the importance of these partnerships, and what we must do next.
Issues & Actions
March, 2026
Family Planning Funding for Healthy Families
CCIH joined World Vision in sending a letter to the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) of the United States House Committee on Appropriations in support for family planning and reproductive health funding in the FY27 House National Security, Department of State and Related Programs funding bill. The letter emphasizes that faith-based organizations believe in the dignity and value of every human life and that Family Planning and Reproductive Health programming lowers maternal mortality and morbidity rates as well as infant and child death rates. Family planning gives women and couples the tools to time and space their pregnancies in ways that are consistent with their faith and culture, allowing families to have the number of children they wish to have in the healthiest and safest way possible.
See The LetterAugust, 2025
Urging the Release of Appropriated Funds for Life-Saving Efforts
CCIH joined others in the global health advocacy community to urge Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure the remaining $2 billion of Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) funds for Global Health Programs are obligated by September 30, 2025. These critical resources support life-saving efforts, such as programs that combat threats such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as those that improve maternal and child health and nutrition and bolster global health security. This funding was appropriated by Congress with strong bipartisan support and was recently protected in the rescissions package. Timely obligation of these funds is essential to delivering on U.S. commitments to save millions of lives worldwide while also making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
See The LetterJuly, 2025
Christian Organizations Express Grave Concern over US Withdrawal of Gavi Support
CCIH and Christian partners released a statement sounding the alarm over the United States’ decision to end financial support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This move threatens decades of progress in child survival. Since its founding in 2000, Gavi has helped vaccinate more than 1.1 billion children in the world’s poorest countries, preventing an estimated 18.8 million deaths and contributing to a 50% reduction in global child mortality. Gavi-supported efforts have played a crucial role in controlling deadly diseases, such as measles, polio, pneumonia, and diphtheria. Vaccines are widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective health interventions, with an estimated $54 return for every $1 invested, and backtracking on their support upends decades of progress in protecting the lives of children.
Read the StatementJuly, 2025
Advocating Against Recissions and For Life and Health
CCIH joined other faith-based organizations in signing onto a letter to the U.S. Senate from the Interfaith Working Group on Foreign Assistance to advocate against taking back funds already approved by Congress to protect life and health. The funds would help over 800 million people facing complex crises stemming from violent conflicts, widening food insecurity, and natural disasters worldwide. The letter urges Congress to continue its decades of commitment to strengthening the United States’ role as a leader in both humanitarian assistance and international development programs, honoring the dignity of all, and supporting flourishing communities. In just six months, the purposeful termination of global health programs has caused over 108,00 adult deaths and 225,000 child deaths.
See The Letter