HIV/AIDS STATE & USAID

Description

HIV/AIDS programs work in collaboration and partnership with host-country governments, civil society, multilateral institutions, faith-based institutions, the private sector, and other stakeholders to combat the AIDS epidemic. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) targets investments through data-driven decision making that strategically focuses resources on specific geographic areas and populations.

What Does This Buy?

Supports multi-sectoral responses to HIV/AIDS to reduce the widespread impacts of the pandemic. Provides technical assistance and HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. Supports research, development, and dissemination of new technologies including microbicides and an HIV vaccine.

Justification for the Request

• As of November 2018, U.S. assistance provided lifesaving antiretroviral treatment for more than 14.6 million patients. Over 40% of people living with HIV globally are still not accessing the antiretroviral therapy they need to survive and thrive.
• In FY 2018, PEPFAR supported nearly 95 million people with HIV counseling and testing programs.
• Due to efforts by the U.S. and international partners, 80% of HIV-positive pregnant women received the necessary treatment and services to reduce HIV transmission to their child. Over PEPFAR’s 15 years of programming 2.4 million HIV infections have been averted among children.
• Countries that receive U.S. assistance are increasing their domestic investments for HIV/AIDS, leading to increased sustainability in fighting their own epidemics. In 2016, domestic investment from low- and middle- income countries accounted for nearly 60% of all HIV-related spending.
• Mother-to-child transmission is the leading cause of HIV infection in children. PEPFAR invests significantly in preventing mother-to-child transmission and provides extensive support for the use of lifelong antiretroviral treatment for all HIV-infected pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• In 2017 approximately 36.9 million people were living with HIV. This includes 1.8 million children under the age of 15. During 2017, 1.8 million adults and 180,000 children became infected with HIV.

U.S. Interest

U.S. funding for HIV/AIDS and other global health programs strengthens national security and protects the health of Americans. This investment also helps countries develop the capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to other infectious disease outbreaks. Countries where PEPFAR works show greater increases in worker productivity and
economic development than other nations. Furthermore, these countries experience improvement in government effectiveness and rule of law.

Bold Vision

• Experts estimate that there is 20% gap in global investment needed to meet the 90-90-90 targets that have been adopted by the U.S. government. The 90-90-90 targets call for 90% of HIV positive people to be identified, 90% of those to be initiated on treatment, and 90% of those to be virally suppressed. Strong congressional support for global health programs is critical for meeting these targets.
• Additional resources would allow PEPFAR to expand HIV prevention programs, particularly for young women under age 25 and men under age 30.
• Further support for HIV/AIDS research is essential for discovering an HIV vaccine and cure. This research is crucial for those living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS around the world, as well as for the 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States.

Impact of Cuts

• Cuts would shrink HIV testing, prevention, and treatment programs, fueling the spread of the epidemic.
• Cuts to HIV/AIDS funding would put the world on the brink of new and resurgent global epidemics, stifling development and resulting in increased illness and death.