Don’t put money over health

The decision by the U.S. delegation to reject a United Nations resolution promoting breastfeeding is deplorable. Is money more important than health, especially when the lives of the most vulnerable are at stake?

In the eyes of the world, it appears the United States ranked the interests of the infant-formula business above the well-being of babies in low-income countries.

Deciding how to allocate aid to diseases like tuberculosis also requires weighing the value of money over health. This spring, the House of Representatives increased U.S. Agency for International Development funds allocated to reduce global tuberculosis to $302 million, remarkably tipping the balance toward health. Unfortunately, the Senate increased funding only to $275 million.

The difference between the House and Senate funding could prevent 17,000 tuberculosis deaths and help treat an estimated 1 million children with tuberculosis.

Write your senator to encourage the Senate to match the House.