UN Warns of 4 Million AIDS Deaths by 2029 Amid U.S. Funding Cuts

In a stark warning, United Nations officials have announced that more than four million people could die from AIDS-related illnesses by 2029 due to significant reductions in U.S. funding for HIV programs. This alarming projection comes from a recent UNAIDS report, which highlights the potential consequences of the abrupt withdrawal of approximately $4 billion in U.S. financial support, a move that has already destabilized global health initiatives aimed at combating the disease.

The report, released on July 12, 2025, outlines how the lost funding has disrupted supply chains, forced the closure of health facilities, and left numerous clinics without adequate staffing. As a result, crucial prevention programs have been set back, and HIV testing efforts have been severely hampered. Moreover, community organizations have been compelled to reduce or halt their HIV-related activities, leading to fears that decades of progress against AIDS could be reversed.

UN Assistant Secretary-General Angeli Achrekar, who previously served as the principal deputy coordinator for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), expressed concern over the future of the program. "The extent to which it will continue in the future, we don't know," she stated during a video news conference with UN reporters in New York. Achrekar noted that while a waiver issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio allows for continued life-saving treatment, the overall outlook remains uncertain.

The PEPFAR initiative, launched in 2003 under President George W. Bush, marked the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease. UNAIDS described it as a “lifeline” for countries with high HIV prevalence. The initiative has provided testing for over 84 million individuals and treatment for more than 20 million patients. For example, in Nigeria, PEPFAR accounted for an astonishing 99.9% of the national budget for HIV prevention medications, showcasing the program’s critical role in global health.

As the U.S. funding cuts take effect, the repercussions are expected to be particularly severe in sub-Saharan Africa, where half of all new HIV infections occur. Tom Ellman, head of the South Africa medical unit for Doctors Without Borders, emphasized that while some poorer nations are beginning to fund their own HIV programs, they cannot compensate for the sudden withdrawal of U.S. support. “There’s nothing we can do that will protect these countries from the sudden, vicious withdrawal of support from the U.S.,” he remarked.

Dr. Chris Beyrer, director of the Global Health Institute at Duke University, pointed out that the U.S. has historically financed most HIV surveillance operations in African countries. This funding has encompassed critical data collection efforts, including hospital and patient records. “Without reliable data about how HIV is spreading, it will be incredibly hard to stop it,” Dr. Beyrer asserted.

Despite these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new injectable treatment from pharmaceutical company Gilead, which has demonstrated 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV. However, the high cost of this medication raises concerns about accessibility in low-income countries. Activists, including Peter Maybarduk from the advocacy group Public Citizen, have criticized Gilead for its pricing strategy, which may exclude many regions in dire need of affordable treatment. While Gilead has agreed to provide generic versions of the drug in 120 countries with high HIV rates, Latin America, despite rising HIV statistics, remains largely excluded from this arrangement.

The potential for ending the AIDS epidemic hangs in the balance as international cooperation faces unprecedented challenges. Achrekar and other officials continue to advocate for the importance of sustaining support for HIV/AIDS programs. “We are cautiously hopeful that PEPFAR will continue to support both prevention and treatment services,” Achrekar concluded, highlighting the necessity for urgent action to avert a public health disaster.

As the global community grapples with these developments, the implications for millions living with HIV remain dire. The loss of U.S. funding could not only reverse progress made but also threaten the lives of countless individuals, underscoring the need for renewed commitment to combatting AIDS and ensuring that essential health services are maintained across the globe.