Ending Epidemics

Friends educates policymakers about the work of the Global Fund, but we also have a broader mission: supporting U.S. investment and programming to lead the world in ending the AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria epidemics for good.

As the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, AIDS, TB and malaria claim millions of lives each year, devastating communities and economies around the globe. However, thanks to two decades of bipartisan U.S. leadership in global health, we are closer than ever to ending these epidemics.

Through investments in the Global Fund partnership, the U.S. has helped saved 65 million lives since 2002, driving transformative progress against AIDS, TB and malaria.

Why is it crucial to end the epidemics?

Despite remarkable progress, these diseases continue to devastate vulnerable populations:

  • HIV/AIDS: Every week,  4000 young women and girls are infected with HIV. In 2023,   630,000people died of HIV-related illnesses worldwide.
  • Malaria: A child dies of malaria every minute . In 2023, there were 263 million cases and nearly 600,000 deaths, 76% of which were children under the age of 5.
  • Tuberculosis: TB remains the leading cause of death globally from a single infectious disease, with  1.25 million deaths and nearly 11 million new cases in 2023 alone.

Publications and Campaigns

Friends works with partner organizations to create original research reports as well as broader campaigns on ending epidemics and emerging pandemics.

Resurgence: Could AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria Make Comebacks?

In the Media

Click below to read selected opinion pieces written by Friends leadership and staff.