Congress Fails to Reauthorize PEPFAR, Jeopardizing Progress in HIV/AIDS Fight

Despite significant strides, including a 12% drop in new HIV infections in the U.S. since 2017, the future of the successful global health program is uncertain.

Despite significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the future of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a successful bipartisan global health program, is in jeopardy due to Congress failing to reauthorize it.
PEPFAR has saved 25 million lives and enabled 5.5 million babies to be born HIV-free to mothers living with HIV in its 20 years of existence.
New HIV infections in the U.S. have declined in recent years, with estimated annual new HIV infections being 12% lower in 2021 compared to 2017.
PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, a medication that reduces the risk of someone getting HIV, is underused, particularly among women, with only 7% of PrEP users being women.
Stigma and misinformation continue to contribute to underdiagnosis and undertreatment of HIV.