The Indicator from Planet Money One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away (EXTENDED VERSION)
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Jul 4, 2025 Jon Cohen, Senior Correspondent with Science magazine, discusses the critical state of HIV/AIDS treatment in Eswatini and Lesotho. He shares firsthand experiences from his reporting trip, highlighting the serious impacts of U.S. funding cuts on healthcare. The conversation delves into the vital role of PEPFAR in combating the HIV crisis and the urgent need for continued support to protect vulnerable populations. Cohen emphasizes the challenges posed by changing foreign policy and the importance of global cooperation to sustain progress in fighting the epidemic.
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Funding Cut's Harsh Impact
- Lesotho clinic suffered from U.S. HIV funding cuts, causing long wait times and halted HIV tests for pregnant women.
- This left many vulnerable women untested and untreated, risking their babies' health significantly.
HIV Treatment Turning Point
- 1996 antiretroviral cocktails allowed HIV patients to live normal lifespans and stop virus transmission.
- High drug cost limited access mostly to wealthy countries, leaving poorer nations behind.
PEPFAR's Life-saving Innovation
- In 2003, PEPFAR launched to provide HIV medicines to low-income countries, partnering with the Global Fund.
- Generic drug production lowered prices from $15,000 to about $120 per person annually.