Reinstate Global Health Surveys for Evidence-Based Policymaking

As a physician, I find the Trump administration's abrupt termination of the Demographic and Health Surveys program deeply concerning. These surveys provided the only reliable information on maternal and child health, mortality rates, nutrition levels, reproductive health indicators, and HIV prevalence for about 90 low- and middle-income nations. Without this vital data, it will be nearly impossible to assess healthcare needs, set benchmarks, measure progress toward global development goals, or evaluate the impacts of foreign aid cuts. Defunding this modest but influential research effort undermines efforts to thoughtfully implement and monitor public health programs worldwide. Reinstating this program is crucial to allow evidence-based policymaking and ensure accountability in addressing global health challenges. The loss of these surveys compromises our ability to make informed decisions and jeopardizes the well-being of vulnerable populations.