Trump’s HIV funding cuts having ‘severe and devastating’ impact around the world
A new report indicates that funding cuts to the U.S. PEPFAR program have led to widespread clinic closures and staff layoffs globally. The research suggests these policy changes are undermining decades of progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Why it matters
The disruption of a program credited with saving 26 million lives poses a significant threat to global public health stability.
Nairobi’s Nyumbani Children's Home, which cares for orphans with HIV, in February last year. Nairobi’s Nyumbani Children's Home, which cares for orphans with HIV, in February last year. Global health Trump’s HIV funding cuts having ‘severe and devastating’ impact around the world The President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief has saved 26m lives globally, but slashing of funds and dismantling of USAID have forced clinics to shut in dozens of countries
About this content Kat Lay , Global health correspondent Tue 21 Jul 2026 10.00 EDT Last modified on Tue 21 Jul 2026 10.01 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google No part of the United States’ anti-HIV programme has escaped unscathed from Donald Trump’s funding cuts, despite pledges from the administration to protect care that saved lives around the world, a new report has found.
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