Poll: US voters support funding UN health efforts

Nine in 10 U.S. voters say it's important for the United States to support the global health efforts of the U.N.'s World Health Organization, according to a United Nations Foundation/Better World Campaign poll released Thursday.

The poll found that: 

• 89 percent of respondents believe the United States should be supportive of U.N. programs that improve access to vaccines and maternal healthcare; and 

• 79 percent believe the United States should be supportive of U.N. programs that provide voluntary family planning services, such as information about access to contraception.

The poll comes as lawmakers debate significant cuts to federal spending, including cuts to global health funding and foreign aid.

"As election-year polls continue to show the American electorate split on a wide variety of issues, a vast majority of voters agree on one issue in particular: the value of a strong U.S.-WHO relationship," said United Nations Foundation President Timothy Wirth said in a statement. "Continued U.S. engagement in the WHO’s efforts to curb disease and ensure girls' and women's access to adequate healthcare will ensure we lead efforts to build a safer, healthier future for our children."