- Sweeping aid cuts initiated by Donald Trump have caused severe disruption to global HIV prevention programs, resulting in the closure of over 1,700 clinics and the loss of at least 16,000 health worker jobs.
- Despite pledges to protect HIV treatment, 63% of organizations reported disruptions to these services, and spending on prevention fell by over half, with funding for condoms and lubricants almost entirely cut.
- The cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) forced 43% of organizations to permanently stop at least one prevention activity, risking decades of progress against HIV.
- Researchers warn that the damage could be long-lasting, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like sex workers and LGBTQ+ communities, who are most at risk of HIV.
- Locally-based organizations, especially in eastern and southern Africa, were significantly more likely to lose funding and close service sites, struggling to replace lost US support for critical community testing and peer support.
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