The Trump team is quietly eliminating U.S. support for birth control abroad
Congress has allocated more than $500 million for family planning work internationally. The Trump administration hasn't spent it — and the consequences are already being felt.
By NPR Health
The Trump administration is quietly eliminating U.S. financial support for international birth control programs, a move that is already causing 'historic disruption' for community health workers in sub-Saharan Africa. In nations like Uganda, thousands of health stipends previously funded by U.S. foreign aid have been cut, leaving women without access to contraception or reproductive counseling. The policy shift is a significant expansion of previous 'global gag rule' restrictions, moving beyond abortion services to target foundational family planning.
Health organizations warn that the sudden loss of funding will lead to a spike in unintended pregnancies and maternal mortality rates in regions already struggling with fragile health systems. In many cases, community workers are now providing informal counseling through what they describe as a burgeoning public health crisis. The administration has framed the cuts as a way to redirect aid toward 'wellness and abstinence' initiatives, but critics argue the move ignores the practical realities of maternal health and undermines decades of progress in global reproductive rights.