1A The Future Of US Funding For HIV Treatment And Prevention
Jul 17, 2025
Aporva Mandavilli is a science and global health reporter at The New York Times, while Rachel Bender Ignacio is a physician and researcher at the University of Washington and Fred Hutch Cancer Center. They discuss the precarious future of PEPFAR funding and the urgent implications of potential budget cuts on global HIV treatment efforts. The conversation also highlights recent advancements in HIV research, including promising vaccines and prevention tools. Key challenges in sustaining funding for research and maintaining health equity are emphasized, alongside cultural shifts in HIV awareness.
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PEPFAR's Global Impact
- PEPFAR has saved over 26 million lives by providing HIV treatment and prevention globally.
- It transformed HIV care by delivering drugs to countries that previously had no access.
Shift to Local Funding
- The Trump administration aims to shift HIV program funding responsibility to affected countries.
- This decision reflects a belief that countries should take over HIV treatment funding themselves.
Future Cuts Threaten Prevention
- Planned $2 billion PEPFAR cuts in 2026 will heavily affect prevention programs for key populations.
- These cuts risk reversing progress, causing babies to be born with HIV again in some countries.