CDC HIV Prevention Division In Jeopardy

More alarming news out of Washington with the Trump administration considering the elimination of the CDC’s HIV Prevention Division & shifting its responsibilities within the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Dr. David J. Johns, CEO & Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) stated, “The administration’s attempt to dismantle the CDC’s HIV Prevention Division is not just reckless—it is a direct attack on Black people, LGBTQ+/same-gender loving (SGL) people & other marginalized people most impacted by the HIV epidemic. Defunding HIV prevention will undo decades of progress, forcing states to bear the financial burden of prevention & treatment programs while putting countless lives at risk. The CDC’s HIV Prevention Division has played a critical role in public health since the early 1980s, focusing on preventing new HIV transmissions. Programs like Let’s Stop HIV Together & Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE), which Trump’s first administration launched, were built on the simple principle that we cannot end HIV without focusing on the communities most impacted. Now, they are working to destroy the very initiatives they once championed. With game-changing treatments like PrEP available, we should be expanding access, not defunding the very programs responsible for providing life-saving education & resources.” Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO concluded, “Suggested cuts to HIV funding are disgraceful & wasteful. These cuts will result in more cases of HIV & end up costing taxpayers billions more in new health care costs. Remind your representatives to do their jobs: protect funding they appropriated. Speak out against illegal plans that go against proven strategies & resources that improve everyone’s health, safety & wellbeing. Together we can end HIV when we work to share accurate information & break down all barriers to prevention & treatment."

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