Why I Support US Investments in Health
Here are some facts and points you can use to show your support for U.S. investments that save lives and ensure global health security for all nations.
Resource Hub to Help You Advocate
CCIH developed a Resource Hub to help Christians and others show their support for foreign assistance, including instructions on how to contact your representatives in the U.S. Visit the Hub
- As a Christian, I support initiatives that help the most vulnerable, strengthen global and national security, and contribute to both international stability and economic prosperity.
- For decades, U.S.-funded humanitarian assistance has supported the work of organizations, including Christian organizations, living out their calling to serve. These programs help people–including infants and children–who face disease, war and conflict, hunger, natural disasters, and lack of clean water.
- For Christians, helping those in need is deeply rooted in our faith tradition and demonstrated in scripture. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 and “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” 1 John 3:17
- We know as faith actors that 84% of the world’s population belongs to a major faith group. The local church, mosque, or temple does not merely work in the community, but is part of the community. Any effort to improve local health and welfare must include religious actors.
- The Christian Health Asset Mapping Consortium released a report in 2023 with information about the scope and scale of Christian health care in Africa, including more than 8300 Christian health assets in 17 countries. Many of these facilities and programs received US government support, leveraging what they are able to do.
- Many Christian organizations partner with local churches in countries to carry out their work. Such partnerships build goodwill and foster strong local organizations that can withstand emergencies while saving lives. Global goodwill and positive feelings toward the U.S. also make Americans safer at home and abroad.
- U.S. foreign assistance demonstrates leadership, encourages trust, and builds security and stability, especially in fragile regions. In the absence of U.S. leadership, the vacuum will be filled by other actors, particularly those who are unable and unwilling to create a peaceful, healthy, and safer world for all. Halting support entirely threatens not only the world’s most vulnerable people but also security for all across the globe.
- The U.S. is more prosperous when we have healthy trading partners purchasing U.S.-manufactured goods.
- Strong, vibrant local institutions and global partnerships are part of a resilient global infrastructure that can manage sudden-onset humanitarian emergencies, widespread disease outbreaks, and significant population displacements from conflict. Failure in such responses contributes to a destabilized world.