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The concept of public health first resonated with me in the early 1990s when I had a childhood friend living with AIDS. This personal connection motivated me to take classes aimed at understanding the complexities of public health. It was during this period that I began to recognize the profound ways in which public health initiatives can transform communities and countries alike.

For over 25 years, I have dedicated my career to supporting U.S. foreign assistance efforts in global public health. My most recent role was with DAI, one of the largest contractors for USAID. Throughout this time, I have witnessed the tangible benefits of American foreign assistance, which not only improves lives abroad but also contributes to the safety and strength of our nation at home.

However, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment for USAID; the direction it will take remains uncertain. The current administration has halted foreign assistance programs, leading to a pause in our work at DAI. This abrupt decision affected my entire team and hundreds of other colleagues, leaving us furloughed with little warning. As a result, my paycheck ceased on January 31, and my health insurance was terminated on March 31. Consequently, USAID has officially canceled life-saving programs that I used to oversee, including crucial initiatives aimed at monitoring infectious diseases, coordinating responses to pandemic threats across borders, and ensuring that essential medications reach communities in urgent need.

This administration's approach to USAID is troubling, reflecting a fundamental misunderstanding of the critical role that American soft power plays in the world. By providing assistance to other nations, we simultaneously enhance the safety and security of the United States.

USAID, the government agency responsible for delivering foreign assistance, was established in 1961 under the leadership of President John F. Kennedy. At that time, the agency aimed to counter the negative image of the 'ugly American' and foster trust in American values abroad. Over the decades, USAID has garnered robust bipartisan support; both Democratic and Republican administrations have recognized that American influence extends beyond military might, relying instead on building partnerships founded on mutual respect and shared benefits.

In my professional journey, I have collaborated closely with the U.S. Department of Defense to expand access to HIV testing and treatment in Botswana, supported by funding from both U.S. and Botswana sources. I have engaged with women in Afghanistan, where cultural norms prevent them from receiving care from male doctors, ensuring they receive life-saving healthcare through investments in training female health providers. Moreover, I have observed state governments in northern Nigeria, regions afflicted by the threat of Boko Haram, allocate their resources to supplement U.S. investments in youth programs.

These experiences are not just abstract policy successes; they represent real human stories of improved lives that foster alliances and enhance American security directly. When young people and local governments in unstable regions lean toward the U.S. instead of terrorist organizations, it benefits us all. By empowering health systems in developing nations to detect and manage disease outbreaks effectively, we can prevent potential pandemics from reaching our shores. This isn't an act of charity; it's strategic foresight.

Here in North Carolina, the ramifications of these changes are felt acutely. Our state ranks fourth in the nation in terms of receiving USAID funds, which helps create thousands of jobs for North Carolinians. Having attended numerous city council meetings across the Triangle region, I have witnessed growing frustration among community members. Conversations with scientists and farmers have revealed deep concerns regarding what cuts to USAID might mean for agriculture in North Carolina, as the agency has been pivotal in supporting vital research that benefits both our state and citizens in developing countries.

Before the dismantling of USAID funding, the Republican administration had promised a 90-day review of foreign assistancea process I and my colleagues welcomed enthusiastically. We were eager to engage in constructive discussions about how to reform and strengthen foreign assistance initiatives. We began examining how our programs aligned with the priorities outlined in Project 2025 and the America First foreign policy agenda. Meetings were convened to scrutinize each project, and we developed fact sheets detailing how USAID-invested initiatives contributed to Americas prosperity, security, and overall safety.

However, we did not receive any requests for this critical information until weeks after capricious decisions had already been madedecisions based on selectively chosen and frequently discredited examples that served to inflame rather than educate. I have yet to encounter any programs that resemble those disparaged in late-night tweets or at campaign rallies. Instead, I have witnessed essential nutrition support for women and children in Zambiaa nation rich in vital resourcessuddenly come to a halt. As we withdraw our support, countries like China and Russia are poised to step in, expanding their influence in regions that hold strategic significance for America.

It is imperative that we restore effective foreign assistance programs and address the elements that do not work. My concerns extend far beyond personal financial implications; I am genuinely apprehensive about the ramifications of America retreating from the realm of soft power, which would only embolden our competitors and adversaries.

America must restore what has proven effective in foreign assistance while also thoughtfully reforming what does not: we must improve collaboration across sectors, enhance our learning capabilities, and streamline bureaucracies to make it easier for local partnersrather than exclusively American firmsto implement these programs. When nations possess the means to budget for and generate revenue for their essential services, they not only become more self-sufficient but also less reliant on foreign aid.

We need to move away from inflammatory rhetoric that misrepresents the devoted efforts of thousands of Americans and their international partners. Our leaders must prioritize protecting North Carolina jobs, safeguarding American soft power, and upholding our national security interests by advocating for effective foreign assistance.

After spending 25 years observing how American tax dollars can create waves of positive change around the world, I believe that with a mindset of curiosity rather than judgment, we can ensure that these vital investments continue to make Americaand the worldsafer and stronger.

Kirsten Weeks is a global health leader with over 25 years of experience in public health initiatives.