US under Trump: UN warns of flare-up of HIV epidemic HIV US payments fall sharply

The United Nations has issued a dire warning that the global fight against HIV could face a resurgence due to drastic reductions in funding, largely driven by cuts from the United States under President Donald Trump. According to reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS, financial support for HIV programs dropped significantly after the U.S. government froze its contributions in early 2025. The U.S. had historically accounted for approximately 75 percent of international HIV aid, making its withdrawal a major blow to global efforts. As a result, the total amount of funds available for HIV prevention and treatment worldwide fell by just six percent, while funding to UNAIDS declined by 18 percent to $7.3 billion, its lowest level since nearly two decades ago. The impact of these cuts has been particularly severe in countries south of the Sahara, which account for roughly half of all new HIV infections globally. Data shows that in nations such as Cameroon, Nigeria, and Zambia, the number of individuals receiving medication-based HIV prevention (PrEP) plummeted by more than 50 percent. This decline threatens to reverse years of progress made in curbing the spread of the virus. Without renewed investment, experts warn that hard-won gains toward eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 could be undone. Last year alone, approximately 1.2 million new infections were recorded, underscoring the urgency of maintaining robust funding levels. At the same time, the U.S. government’s decision to cut aid sparked legal challenges and political controversy. In June 2025, a lower court ruled that parts of Trump’s executive order to restrict mail-in voting in 23 states violated the Constitution. The ruling was upheld by a federal appellate court in Boston, which rejected the administration’s attempt to overturn the injunction. The court emphasized that the order imposed clear deadlines on states, leaving them with little choice but to respond immediately. The Justice Department had argued that the case was premature because officials had yet to finalize implementation plans, but the judges dismissed this reasoning, highlighting the need for swift action. Meanwhile, the White House faced criticism over its use of music in military-related content. On social media platform X, pop star Katy Perry expressed outrage over her song “Firework” being used as background music for clips showing U.S. military strikes. Perry described the song as a celebration of hope, healing, and personal strength, and condemned its use to glorify violence. The White House responded by posting a clip featuring explosions set to the track, accompanied by the message: “The Iran has been warned.” Perry’s reaction highlighted growing tensions between cultural figures and governmental actions perceived as promoting militarism. In Geneva, the WHO has also struggled with the fallout from reduced U.S. funding. Tereza Kasaeva, who leads the organization’s expanded program addressing tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted diseases, noted that the agency lost 30 percent of its staff and over 40 percent of its budget following the U.S. withdrawal. Despite these losses, she reported that the organization has managed to maintain operations and begin recovery. However, the situation remains precarious, especially for UNAIDS, which faces potential dissolution by 2027 amid ongoing financial constraints. With nearly 41 million people living with HIV worldwide, including 1.3 million children, the consequences of sustained underfunding could be devastating. Experts like Christoph Benn, a global health policy specialist based in Geneva, acknowledge the risks posed by the funding crisis but see potential long-term benefits. Benn argues that the current situation has acted as a wake-up call, prompting greater self-reliance among affected nations. While dependency on U.S. aid has been a longstanding issue, the recent cuts have forced many African countries to take more responsibility for their own health programs. Benn notes that despite the immediate hardships, the reduction in mortality rates, from a 60 percent drop in deaths and a 40 percent decrease in new infections, suggests that progress is still being made, albeit at a slower pace. These developments underscore both the fragility and resilience of global health initiatives in the face of political and financial uncertainty.