Reference no: EM133218653

Do you agree with your peer?

The United States government engages in global health through multiple facets. They foreign assistance and public health (KFF 2019). Foreign assistance, is focused on global development and the public health sector is focused on disease prevention. The United States is a key player in setting and upholding international standards and provides aid in terms of monetary and personnel means. Though many NGOs exist and attempt to similar things there is no comparison with the amount of influence the US government has. Some independently wealthy folks create organisations through which they provide their aid and these organisations tend to have the most influence. An example is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, they have been committed to a myriad of global health initiatives and have contributed billions since 1994. Often times the US collaborates with these organisations, as well as non governmental organisations in the efforts to provide funding and resources to reach a common health goal.

One important policy that is receiving a lot of attention is maternal health. Often times people think of the global south as needing support on these matters, but recent events in the United States show that even developed nations like the United States have a long way to go in this front. Maternal health topics such as preconception check-ups, sexual health education, breast feeding, postpartum etc. are all unique topics that many NGOs such as the WHO, UNICEF, Sista Midwife Productions and the Sista Midwife Directory. Postpartum Support International, Smile Train, etc. aim to tackle in developed and developing countries a like. As I mentioned in my responses to many of my classmates a huge factor that needs to remain in the forefront of the government and these organizations is the factors of colonialism that affect the health inequities and we need to remain careful when providing aid that we are not imposing our way while dangling money because that is controlling and manipulative behavior.