February 14, 2017

Lancet Paper Examines What Trump Presidency May Mean for Global Health

Eric Brus READ TIME: 2 MIN.

In a recent paper published online in The Lancet, three British and U.S. health policy analysts provide a scorecard for evaluating the potential impact of a Trump presidency and its expected policies on global health.

The scorecard, which draws on the health-related components of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, "can form the basis of a system to monitor and hold accountable global health leaders," according to the analysts. The system uses colors to categorize the level of risk of particular policies to health, with green indicating a low risk, amber a medium risk, and red a high risk.

Based on their review of the statements that President Trump has made before and after his election, his nominations for key administration positions, and the level of Congressional support for specific policies, the analysts have developed a preliminary scorecard anticipating the Trump Administration's impact on global health.

The scorecard includes the following policy areas that can have a significant global health impact:

  • universal health coverage;
  • evidence-based health policy;
  • reproductive health;
  • vulnerable populations;
  • security and foreign policy;
  • aid and global health;
  • climate action;
  • trade and market integration;
  • employment and job insecurity;
  • social determinants of health and health inequalities; and
  • gun violence.

    For quick reference, the analysts provide a color-coded summary of their scorecard, together with a more detailed review in the full article. The analysts identify reasons for concern in each of the 11 policy areas -- categorizing the risk of possible Trump policies as high in seven areas and medium in four.

    They note, however, that "We do not see this scorecard as being definitive, and indeed it cannot be until there is greater certainty about what policies will be pursued, but we offer it as a basis for further discussion." They conclude by urging public health professionals and organizations to play an active role in shaping policy that promotes health and reduces health inequalities.

    Eric Brus writes about HIV policy. His HIV/AIDS Disparities Report is produced by the New England AIDS Education and Training Center Minority AIDS Initiative Project. The full version is available here.

    by Eric Brus

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