The Indicator from Planet Money One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away
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Jun 25, 2025 Jon Cohen, a Senior Correspondent for Science magazine, dives deep into the implications of PEPFAR cuts in Eswatini and Lesotho. He talks about the life-saving legacy of this U.S. program since 2003, highlighting the stark realities faced by clinics due to recent budget reductions. Cohen shares heartrending stories, like that of a pregnant woman battling HIV, reflecting the urgent need for accessible treatment amid soaring rates of infection. The conversation reveals the complex intertwining of U.S. foreign aid and public health in Southern Africa.
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PEPFAR's Life-Saving Efficiency
- PEPFAR has saved millions of lives at only about $4,600 per life, far cheaper than typical US healthcare costs.
- The program's success comes from targeted, measurable interventions in HIV prevention and treatment in Africa.
Massive Impact of PEPFAR
- PEPFAR spends over $120 billion and saved an estimated 26 million lives since 2003.
- The program is phenomenally successful due to its monitoring and outcome metrics.
Funding Cuts Threaten PEPFAR
- Trump administration cut and paused funding, especially through USAID, which undermines PEPFAR's reach.
- A bill was introduced to codify these cuts, threatening the program's future.