Dear Colleague,

As the year winds down, we reflect on the challenges of the past, while looking ahead with purpose and resolve. 2025 has been a year of upheaval. Political decisions and funding cuts have devastated communities, institutions and individuals around the world, disproportionally affecting those who are most vulnerable. Yet, even amid this turmoil, we witnessed inspiring efforts to save lives and maintain lifesaving programs.

It was this spirit that defined our annual conference, ‘Innovating and Implementing in Global Health for a Sustainable Future’. In February, 1,300 colleagues from around the world gathered in Atlanta, GA. Abrupt cuts to global health funding had just been announced and key institutions including USAID, NIH, CDC and the WHO were under unprecedented attack. The uncertainty facing our colleagues, their work and the communities they serve was palpable. And yet, our global health community rallied and we supported each other, sharing strategies and reaffirming our collective purpose. It was deeply inspiring and we are profoundly grateful to all who participated in CUGH2025.

Throughout the year we mobilized our community to oppose decisions that harm people, global health programs, academia, allied organizations and the foundations of effective governance. We deepened relationships with partner associations and organizations in Africa, Europe and Latin America, while launching new efforts to expand collaborations in Asia. To reduce barriers to engagement, we convened free, open, virtual symposia, including an Oct.14 event on addressing the triple environmental crisis, and from Dec. 2 – 4, a series of 15 symposia focused on pressing global health challenges and opportunities. We were also proud to see two new commissions emerge from CUGH-supported efforts: The Lancet Global Health Commission on Anti-Corruption in Health and the Nature Medicine Commission on Quality Health Information.

During this holiday season, we extend our deepest gratitude to our members, dedicated committee volunteers and sponsors. You are the backbone of our organization. We are also immensely grateful to our Board of Directors and our Washington, DC team, Sarah, Norma, Elizabeth, and Ian, whose commitment and hard work enable CUGH to advance its mission of improving the wellbeing of people and the health of our planet. 

We wish you and your loved ones a safe, peaceful and restorative holiday season. We look forward to continuing our work together in the year ahead and hope to see you at CUGH’s next annual conference in Washington, DC, April 9-12, 2026. Together, we remain committed to ensuring that all people can lead healthy, fulfilling lives.  

With gratitude and best wishes, 

Nancy R. Reynolds, PhD, RN, FAAN

Chair, CUGH's Board of Directors

Keith Martin, MD, PC

Executive Director

Published: A New Definition of Global Health

A new paper on re-defining global health has just been published in Global Health Research and Policy. Much thanks to the founding chairs of CUGH’s Global Health Educators Community, Prof. Kathryn Jacobsen and Prof. Caryl Waggett, who led this effort and all who contributed to it.

Rx One Health Field Institute: 

2026 Applications Now Open

Rx One Health 2026 will be held for the first time in Ireland from June 14-27 and co-led by University of California, Davis and University College, Dublin. Graduate students and early career professionals from around the world are welcome to apply. Scholarships are available.

Application deadline:

January 31, 2026

Protect Public Health Professional Degrees

ASPPH is leading national advocacy to ensure that public health degrees remain recognized and supported as professional degrees. Tell your Senators and Representatives about the devastating consequences of the Administration's proposal and urge Congress to act now!

Take action here.

WashU RADIANCE Summer Research

Training Program

The WashU Global Health Center invites students to apply for the 2026 SummeR reseArch DIscovery ProgrAm iN Cardiovascular Disease & HEmatology (RADIANCE). RADIANCE is a summer research training program at WashU in heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders for undergraduate, graduate, and health professional students (medical students, MPH students, and other health professions). The program is supported by an R25 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

• Program Period: June 8 - July 31, 2026
• Application Deadline: January 20, 2026 at 11:59pm CT

Stanford CARE Scholars Program

The Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE) is excited to announce that applications for the Stanford CARE Scholars Program are now open! The Stanford CARE Scholars Program is a year-long, virtual research program anchored by a 9-week summer research immersion, focused on training the next generation of leaders in Asian health research. Application deadline: January 11, 2026.

Publication: Disease Control Priorities, Fourth Edition: Volume 1. Country-Led Priority Setting for Health

Please see and share this very important report: Disease Control Priorities, Fourth Edition, which can be of immense assistance to ensure that global health programs align with national needs. 

See the Africa Health Journal

This journal from the African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST) is an initiative promoted by a network of African and international leaders in health and development. ACHEST is an independent Think Tank and a network. 

Read the Latest WHO Report on Hypertension

Resolve to Save Lives with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the World Health Organization, released the WHO’s new Global Hypertension Report which reveals that more than 1 billion people with hypertension lack access to basic, affordable, accessible treatment that would prevent heart attacks, strokes, and early death.

Press Release: CUGH Calls for Evidence-Based Leadership at Health and Human Services

CUGH calls on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to uphold evidence-based policies that protect national and global health. The statement highlights critical risks posed by recent program cuts and urges the President to appoint leaders committed to scientific integrity and public health preparedness.

In the US? Engage Your Congressperson.

Engaging politicians is vital to affecting change. Contact your congressional representatives in their state and district offices. Call, write, or email your concerns and offer solutions. Personal calls matter.

• Communicate the economic and human impact of these policies on individuals, communities, and institutions—both in the U.S. and globally.
• Try to get your asks on TV and radio, and share informed commentaries on social media.

If you are in the US, you can find and contact your representatives here:

• U.S. House of Representatives
• U.S. Senate

See this link to access useful resources that will help you to enhance your advocacy efforts. 

Find and Fund Defunded Global Health Grants

The following site created by Dr. Megan Murray enables researchers to post their defunded grants and lists them online. We hope this site attracts funders to support these research efforts.

Join Our Listservs

Our listservs are open access and provide members of our network with the opportunity to share messages directly—without needing to route them through the CUGH Secretariat. We encourage thoughtful use of these listservs to maintain their value and effectiveness as a communication tool.

Becoming a listserv member is a great way to stay informed and connected with the global health community.