Global Health Fund Warns ‘Triple Whammy’ of Health, Climate, and Conflict Hits World’s Poorest

The world’s poorest populations are being disproportionately affected by a “triple whammy” of health crises, climate change, and conflict, according to Peter Sands, head of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Speaking ahead of the release of the Fund’s 2024 report, Sands highlighted how these overlapping issues are overshadowing global health efforts.

Sands noted that while progress has been made in tackling AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria since the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing challenges remain. The Global Fund’s 2023 data showed significant improvements: 25 million people on antiretroviral therapy, 7.1 million treated for TB, and 227 million mosquito nets distributed.

However, Sands expressed concerns about future funding, warning that donor fatigue could hinder efforts to sustain progress. Climate change and conflict, he emphasized, exacerbate health issues by increasing malnutrition, spreading disease, and causing the collapse of healthcare systems.

Since its inception in 2002, the Global Fund has reduced the combined death rate from the three diseases by 61%, saving an estimated 65 million lives.