Reports of defunding of high-impact HIV prevention program would be a major setback to ending the epidemic

Reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is abruptly ending its high-impact HIV prevention program after more than 35 years are deeply concerning. Eliminating this longstanding investment will undermine decades of progress in reducing new HIV transmissions and erode the nation’s public health infrastructure that ensures the highly effective HIV prevention tools reach those who need them.

The nearly 100 community-based organizations whose grants are reportedly not being renewed lead innovative HIV prevention programs that succeed because their services are grounded in the culture and needs of the communities they serve. They are often the only source for HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis and other prevention services in rural areas and communities where providers are scarce and HIV-related stigma is high.

Defunding these front-line HIV prevention programs will come at a significant cost — in preventable HIV transmissions, poorer health outcomes and higher long-term health care expenditures. It also will undermine the Administration’s own stated priority to expand access to pre-exposure prophylaxis as part of its bold initiative to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. 
HIVMA urges the Administration to reverse this decision and congressional appropriators to continue investing in the community-based HIV prevention programs that remain essential to keeping people healthy and achieving the goal of ending the HIV epidemic. People and communities across America deserve no less.

— Anna K. Person, MD, FIDSA — Chair, HIVMA

About HIVMA  
The HIV Medicine Association is a community of nearly 6,000 health care professionals who advance a comprehensive and humane response to the HIV pandemic, informed by science and social justice. HIVMA works to increase access to health care services and coverage for people with HIV and populations heavily impacted by HIV and to foster a robust, diverse and culturally competent HIV workforce. HIVMA is part of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Visit hivma.org to learn more.