Understanding the impact of Trump’s foreign aid freeze on HIV drug distribution

Amid the flurry of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump was a 90-day freeze on foreign aid spending. Days later, Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the freeze includes current programs. A big worry from public health research officials is that the edict will disrupt the ability of a U.S.-funded program to provide lifesaving anti-HIV drugs to 20 million people living with HIV. 

“Typically when new administrations come to office they do their due diligence and look at all government federal funded programs and they should look at those… but never have we had an administration freeze federal funds while they do that evaluation.”

CJ Tobe, Chief Transformation Officer, DAP

The cuts by the Trump administration affect the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), established by former President George W. Bush. The global health program is credited to have saved more than 25 million lives around the world.

Officials say the pause in the delivery of these drugs will increase the risk of patients getting sick and transmitting the disease to others.

Local health experts says it's more important that ever to do your part to protect yourself and others.

“We know today that routine testing and somebody who tests positive for HIV that they can live a happy, healthy life by taking one pill once a day or even an injection every two months… We also know that people living with HIV that take mediation regularly become undetectable which means they cannot transmit that virus.”

CJ Tobe, Chief Transformation Officer, DAP

According to DAP Health, the HIV prevalence rate in the Coachella Valley is four times higher than the state average. Reports indicate that two thirds of residents have never been tested for the disease.

In addition to helping countries purchase anti-HIV drugs, PEPFAR funds pay for HIV prevention and testing, as well as treatments for tuberculosis and other diseases.

For HIV resources, click here.

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