Potential Reversal in Global Progress Against AIDS Due to US Funding Cuts, UN Warns

Recent reports from the United Nations highlight a concerning trend: despite over three decades of efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, recent US funding reductions threaten to reverse significant progress. Globally, deaths attributed to AIDS have fallen to their lowest point in more than 30 years, thanks largely to initiatives such as the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), launched in 2003. PEPFAR has been instrumental in providing vital testing and treatment, reaching over 84 million people with HIV testing and supporting more than 20 million with treatment, especially in heavily affected countries like Nigeria, where nearly all HIV prevention medications have been supplied through the program.

However, in January 2025, the US abruptlyCut a planned $4 billion in HIV funding, withdrawing funds that countries depended on for continuous care and prevention. This sudden decision led to the closure of clinics, loss of healthcare staff, halted testing, and increased vulnerability for individuals living with HIV. Humanitarian experts, including Tom Ellman of Doctors Without Borders, warn that this withdrawal hampers ongoing efforts to control the epidemic.

The UN report warns that if the financial gap isn't addressed, more than 4 million people could lose their lives to AIDS by 2029, with an additional 6 million at risk of new HIV infections. Despite the decline in AIDS-related deaths in 2024 to around 630,000, progress remains uneven. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear the brunt, accounting for half of all new HIV infections, and the loss of US-funded data collection systems further complicates efforts to track and combat the virus.

Health experts emphasize the importance of sustained and predictable funding to maintain and accelerate progress. Promising developments include a new injectable drug from Gilead, Yeztugo, approved by the FDA last month, showing 100% efficacy in preventing HIV in recent studies. South Africa is committed to distributing the drug widely, especially among vulnerable groups like adolescent girls. Nonetheless, affordability remains a challenge, with Gilead planning to offer cheaper generic versions in 120 low-income countries, although many regions, including most of Latin America, may miss out.

Analysts like Peter Maybarduk of Public Citizen warn that the fight against AIDS risks being lost due to declining US support, jeopardizing decades of hard-won gains. The World Health Organization continues to emphasize the importance of reliable data, which has been compromised by funding cuts, undermining effective response strategies. Despite these setbacks, advancements in HIV prevention and treatment hold promise for eventual eradication if sustainable efforts are maintained.