The NPR Politics Podcast One Of The Cheapest Ways To Save A Life Is Going Away
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Jul 4, 2025 Cuts to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) could have dire consequences for communities in Southern Africa. Journalist Jon Cohen shares firsthand insights from Eswatini and Lesotho, where the struggle for HIV/AIDS treatment intensifies. The discussion also emphasizes the historical successes of antiretroviral therapy in wealthier nations compared to the ongoing challenges in low-income areas. The potential impact on global stability and the urgent need for sustained health funding are explored, highlighting the broader implications for international peace.
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PEPFAR's Life-Saving Cost Efficiency
- PEPFAR saves a human life for about $4,600, a fraction of typical U.S. health expenditures.
- Since 2003, it has saved an estimated 26 million lives by preventing and treating HIV/AIDS.
PEPFAR Metrics and Threats
- PEPFAR success was heavily monitored with targets of 95% testing, treatment, and viral suppression.
- Cuts under Trump threaten this progress, risking millions of lives due to reduced testing and outreach.
Survival Thanks to HIV Medications
- Eswatini and Lesotho each have about one to two million people with very high HIV prevalence.
- The existence of these countries today is attributed to the timely arrival of HIV medications funded by PEPFAR.