The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program, established in 1984 and supported by USAID, was one of the most substantial data collection efforts in global health. It supported the collection of critical data across 90 + countries. The DHS program’s standardized methodology enabled cross-country comparisons, longitudinal analyses, and monitoring of health indicators, including maternal and child health, mortality, and intervention coverage. These datasets have generated thousands of peer-reviewed publications and guided policy decisions globally. This commentary examines the precarious nature of the program following budget cuts by the current US government. The precarity of the DHS Program threatens to disrupt a trusted and standardized global data collection and dissemination ecosystem at a time when such data are most needed. Other data sources exist; however, few match DHS’s rigor, standardization, and comprehensiveness. Recent efforts have, for the time being, preserved access to data and related documentation. Emergency funding is supporting some data collection activities. However, long-term solutions should involve inclusive funding and leadership structures, potentially shifting global health power dynamics.
- Brian Wahl
- Gautam I. Menon
- Bhramar Mukherjee
