The Brian Lehrer Show World AIDS Day and a Promising HIV Prevention Drug
Dec 1, 2025
Pratik Pawar, a journalist and Future Perfect fellow at Vox, sheds light on the rollout of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug in the U.S., but notably absent in South Africa. He discusses the troubling background of PEPFAR cuts, the stigma surrounding HIV, and how political decisions shape global health priorities. With trial results showing zero infections, the decision to exclude South Africa raises eyebrows. Pawar highlights the barriers faced by vulnerable communities and critiques the focus on official channels over NGOs in drug distribution.
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World AIDS Day Public Messaging Halted
- The Trump administration instructed agencies to avoid public messaging about World AIDS Day, reversing decades of recognition.
- This silencing risks erasing attention and political will for an ongoing global health crisis.
Data Silence Harms Public Health
- Pratik Pawar links recent scrubbing of public-health information to broader administration patterns.
- He says removing data and messaging actively harms people who need HIV information and services.
PEPFAR Used As Diplomatic Tool
- PEPFAR is one of the most successful global health programs, credited with saving millions.
- The administration is using PEPFAR and drug rollout as geopolitical leverage rather than purely health priorities.