US Funding Cut Could Result in Over 4 Million AIDS Deaths, Warns UNAIDS

In a stark warning, the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has indicated that the discontinuation of U.S. funding for global HIV/AIDS initiatives could lead to more than four million additional AIDS-related deaths and approximately six million new HIV infections by the year 2029. This alarming prediction was articulated by UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, who described the situation as a "ticking time bomb" and emphasized the immediate need for action.

The 2025 Global AIDS Update, titled "AIDS, Crisis and the Power to Transform," reveals that the sudden halt of U.S. financial support, which occurred six months prior, has triggered a crisis within the global AIDS response. Byanyima noted, "We have seen services vanish overnight. Health workers have been sent home. And people – especially children and key populations – are being pushed out of care."

Historically, the U.S. has played a pivotal role in funding HIV/AIDS programs worldwide, significantly contributing to the progress made in reducing new infections and fatalities. Since 2010, the number of new HIV infections has decreased by 40%, and AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 56%. However, the recent funding void threatens to unravel these achievements. According to the UNAIDS report, the abrupt funding shortfall has led to widespread disruptions in health systems, halting HIV prevention programs and jeopardizing treatment services.

"Despite marked progress in the HIV response in 2024, the weakening aid consensus and significant funding cuts in 2025 have triggered a crisis," the report states. It highlights that prior to the funding cessation, 9.2 million individuals living with HIV were already not receiving life-saving treatment. Alarmingly, among these were 620,000 children aged 0-14 years, contributing to 75,000 AIDS-related deaths among children in 2024 alone.

The crisis is exacerbated by the rise in punitive legal frameworks that criminalize same-sex relationships, gender identity, and drug use, further limiting access to essential HIV services. As a result, over 210,000 adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 acquired HIV in 2024, averaging 570 new infections daily.

In light of these challenges, Byanyima insists that "in times of crisis, the world must choose transformation over retreat." She urges global stakeholders to act with urgency and unity to ensure that AIDS is no longer a public health threat by 2030. While the report notes that among the 60 low and middle-income countries surveyed, 25 have indicated plans to increase their domestic budgets for HIV responses in 2026, it underscores that this funding is insufficient to replace the scale of international support needed, particularly in nations heavily reliant on external funding.

UNAIDS advocates that every dollar invested in the response to HIV not only saves lives but also bolsters health systems and promotes inclusive development. As the world grapples with this funding crisis, the future of millions hangs in the balance, underscoring the critical need for renewed commitment and innovative funding strategies to combat the AIDS epidemic effectively.