DAP Health pushes back as CDC considers restructuring HIV Prevention Division

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - In an update to a developing story, were learning more about the Centers for Disease Controls and Preventions plans to potentially restructure the HIV Prevention Division.

On Wednesday, DAP Health was one of 13 of the nation's leading LGBTQ+, HIV, and health organizations uniting to condemn what they said are the Trump administration's plans to end more than $1 billion in funds that would close the Division of HIV Prevention, and make deep cuts to CDC personnel.

Advocates said they learned about the plans on March 18, and if carried out, the changes will reduce nationwide access to powerful HIV prevention tools, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), surveillance initiatives to track outbreaks and infection rates, and prevention for not only HIV but also sexually transmitted infections (STIs), viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis (TB).

The group said the new plan runs counter to the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative enacted in 2019 during Trump's first administration. The initiative aimed to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030 and led to nearly 7,000 fewer HIV cases in 2022 compared to 2016.

There are currently more than 30,000 new HIV infections that happen nationwide every year.

In an inquiry made on Thursday, from News Channel 3's Garrett Hottle to the CDC on whether there are current discussions or plans to eliminate the HIV prevention division, he received the following response.

"HHS is following the Administration’s guidance and taking a careful look at all divisions to see where there is overlap that could be streamlined to support the President’s broader efforts to restructure the federal government. This is to ensure that HHS better serves the American people at the highest and most efficient standard. No final decision on streamlining CDC’s HIV prevention division has been made."

- CDC Spokesperson

A source also telling News Channel 3s Garrett Hottle if the decision is made to eliminate the division, it's work will continue at HHS.

DAP Health CEO David Brinkman, continues to sound the alarm on the potential impact of cuts to HIV Prevention.

"This cut could impact 44,000 people who do not have HIV today and add an additional cost to our health care system in taxpayer hours of $24 billion," he said. "There is no savings of lives or money when it comes to reducing HIV prevention work."

Asked about the latest information from sources to News Channel 3, indicating HIV's Prevention work would continue under a different entity if restructured, Brinkman said the move doesn't make sense.

"We have been very effective nationally at ending the HIV epidemic," he explained. "We have the medications, we have the programs, and we have the systems to do it. To make any change when we're so close to reaching the goal of ending the epidemic by 2030—and ultimately increasing costs by billions of dollars—doesn't make any sense."

Brinkman also pointed out, the national initiative was created in 2019 - under the Trump administration.

"The Trump administration created the Ending the HIV Epidemic program in 2019, and it has been very successful. The idea of pulling back now—risking lives and increasing costs—doesn’t add up."

For now, Brinkman says the work at DAP Health to end the HIV epidemic will continue, and that they'll continue to fight and warn government leaders any rollbacks to HIV prevention will be devastating financially and for public health.

This is a developing story, stick with News Channel 3 on air and online, as we continue to push to get you the answers you deserve.