Public health specialists and advocates for HIV prevention are expressing worries about a possible decision by the Trump administration to abolish the CDC’s Division on HIV Prevention, an essential organization tasked with monitoring and combating the virus’s spread.
According to a source familiar with the discussions, the proposal is still in its early, preliminary stages. It may lead to a transfer of HIV prevention initiatives to a different division within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), likely the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). However, experts express concern that this shift could hinder current efforts and undo the recent advancements made in decreasing new infections.
The President and CEO of AIDS United, Jesse Milan, stated, “It would be devastating. Every new HIV transmission leads to a lifetime of costs associated with living with HIV.”
Since the early 1980s, the CDC’s division for HIV prevention has spearheaded research, encouraged testing, and backed the use of PrEP, a medication that decreases the likelihood of infection. The United States has observed a reduction in new HIV cases, particularly among individuals aged 13 to 24. In 2022, it was estimated that there were 31,800 new HIV infections.
Advocates are concerned that if federal funding decreases, states might need to assume greater responsibility for prevention initiatives. Harold Phillips, the deputy director for programs at NMAC, an advocacy group, noted that the HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program mainly caters to individuals who have already been diagnosed with HIV. “It exclusively serves those with an HIV diagnosis,” Phillips stressed.
A proposed plan under discussion could potentially reduce the CDC’s HIV budget by up to $700 million, though no final decision has been reached.
Addressing the concerns, Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for HHS, mentioned in an email, “HHS is adhering to the Administration’s guidance and thoroughly examining all divisions to identify areas of overlap that could be streamlined.”
The administration’s efforts to restructure come after the January decision to eliminate HIV-related information from the CDC’s website, representing a part of wider modifications to federal public health communication.
Advocates caution that compromising HIV prevention initiatives may result in a rise in infections and increased long-term expenses for the U.S. healthcare system.
