Trump halts foreign aid hurting HIV treatment for millions

In January 2025, following an executive order from President Donald Trump, the United States halted the vast majority of foreign aid for at least 90 days. This order, part of a broader review of foreign assistance, has created uncertainty for essential programs such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has provided crucial HIV medication and care since its inception in 2003 under President George W. Bush. The decision has prompted concerns over the continuity of life-saving treatments for individuals living with HIV in some of the world’s poorest nations, where dependence on these programs is critical for health sustenance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later issued exemptions for humanitarian assistance; however, details around how this applies to PEPFAR funding remain unclear. The implications of interrupting this aid could be dire, with health experts warning that without consistent access to treatment, over 20 million people—including children—might face heightened risks of illness and the potential resurgence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Organizations and health officials have expressed alarm regarding this interruption of support. The World Health Organization has urgently called for exemptions to ensure ongoing HIV treatment and care, with a continued halt in funding posing a significant retrogression in progress made over the last two decades. In summary, the decision to halt foreign aid could undo years of progress in combating HIV globally and puts millions at risk. Health practitioners emphasize that inconsistencies in HIV treatment not only jeopardize individual health but could also contribute to increased transmission rates, potentially taking the world back to the crisis levels of the 1980s and 1990s.