The Trump administration is considering scaling back its efforts to combat HIV in the US, with plans to potentially shut down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) HIV prevention division. The move comes as part of a broader effort to restructure the federal government.
During his first term, President Donald Trump launched an initiative to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, focusing on 57 high-risk jurisdictions. By 2022, the plan had driven down new infections nationwide by 30% in adolescents and young adults.
However, this time around, the administration’s stance appears to be much more hands-off. The Department of Health and Human Services is considering shifting some prevention programs to another agency, which could lead to a loss of expertise in HIV prevention.
“This isn’t just about the money; it’s about the science,” said Mitchell Warren, executive director of AVAC, an advocacy group. “The CDC has institutional knowledge that’s critical for preventing HIV.”
Dr. Chris Beyrer, director of the Duke Global Health Institute, warned that cutting funding could be counterproductive, especially since most new H.I.V. infections occur among gay and bisexual men and transgender women.
“The epidemic is where it is, and if you’re not there, you’re not addressing it,” he said. “We need to build on our successes, not undermine them.”
The potential shift of prevention programs to the Health Resources and Services Administration (H.R.S.A.) has sparked concerns among experts, who fear that this could lead to a loss of focus on HIV prevention.
“We’ve got to snap out of any paralysis or shock and look at what needs to be built in the future,” said Mitchell Warren. “We can’t let politics get in the way of science and public health.”
The administration has not yet finalized its plans, but experts warn that the consequences could be severe if funding for HIV programs is cut.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/health/cdc-hiv-prevention-treatment.html