How will the Trump administration cuts in HIV research have an impact on the progress made to end the epidemic in the United States?
Little Huang, host:
During his first mandate, President Trump presented a bold proposal during an address by the union state.
(Soundbit of archived registration)
President Donald Trump: My budget will ask Democrats and Republicans to get involved to eliminate the HIV epidemic in the United States within 10 years. We have made incredible, incredible progress.
(APPLAUSE)
Huang: Trump’s objective of eliminating HIV in the United States has led to a research and funding swell to study the virus. But in the first months of its second term, the Trump administration reduced thousands of public health jobs and funding for scientific research, including grants and funds for HIV and AIDS research. What does this mean for the future of HIV research in the United States? Dr. John Brooks is the former chief doctor of the HIV prevention division of the CDC, and he joins me now. Dr Brooks, welcome to everything considered.
John Brooks: Well, Pien, thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here, and I appreciate your attention to this problem.
Huang: So at first, can you give us an idea of the place where the research on HIV was before these cuts?
Brooks: Well, you know, HIV research has been in place since the discovery of the virus as the cause of advanced HIV disease, which we used to call AIDS. And that’s, you know, has made incredible progress. We are now in a place, due to constant funding thanks to mainly federal support, which has discovered incredible drugs that can help us treat HIV to keep a healthy person but also to prevent HIV.
Huang: Was there are some treatments that we were in a way – you know, you are talking about treatments that have been developed and working for people. Was there also something that was in preparation that we have not yet completely obtained?
Brooks: Yes, so some very important things. First of all, there has been a prosecution of a several decades of a HIV vaccine, and this research, as well as research for a healing of HIV, seems to have been canceled. This was mainly research funded by the NIH. A vaccine would be incredible if we could have it – a huge impact on public health, gigantic economic advantages, as well as the scientific progress it will provide and have provided in the past. Ditto for a remedy for HIV. Second, the way we can give people drugs, both to treat their infection and to protect people from the infecture, progress very quickly. A new drug, Lenacapavir, has recently been approved not only for treatment but also for HIV prevention. And only, it is easy to administer. It is about as easy to administer as a vaccine, and it can protect a person up to six months.
Huang: Reduction or elimination of HIV therefore requires a two -steal approach. There is the prevention part of it, then the part of the treatment. And I wonder how you see these cuts which have an impact on each of these approaches.
Brooks: One of the things that worries me is that the objective of the current administration with regard to HIV – which is also included as a new part of the administration for a healthy America – this HIV office or division, whatever it is named, seems very focused on simple treatment. But I think that of us who work in infectious diseases know that treatment will not be the way you get out of an epidemic. Prevention is a vital component. And what we see now is particularly around research and prevention prevention activities, a real reduction in what is done.
Huang: So, given where we are, and that you know, the fact that Trump’s initiative to eliminate HIV in the United States is still funded, as you said, perhaps under the new administration for healthy America, even if other HIV research is cut, do you think that the United States can always achieve this objective of eliminating HIV by 2030?
Brooks: Well, I am an optimist born and I hope. But honestly, I think that with the cuts carried out in research and, in particular, the remarkable reductions and, in my opinion, the draconian reductions made to federal investment in HIV prevention, will lead to an increase in new HIV infections on a national scale. We have made great progress in this country as part of the signature initiative of the president of the president to eliminate the HIV epidemic in America. In the first four years he was in force, we found a 12% drop in new infections nationwide and a 19% drop in deaths due to HIV.
Huang: It seems that what you say, Dr. Brooks, is that current HIV patients will always be able to access treatment, but you are particularly worried about the prevention part of the new people to obtain HIV. Is it true?
Brooks: It’s absolutely true. You know, the preparation, this medication which is given to prevent infection – it means prophylaxis prior to the exhibition – has made great advances. There is a new medication that should only take twice a year by injection which can be administered as easily as a vaccine. However, the drug can be available, and it can be very powerful, but everyone does not have access to it. To reach this medication and to obtain this protection, you should know that you are at risk of HIV and learn that you do not have HIV, so that the drug can protect you. And then you should be able to go to a place that can administer it, you must be able to afford it, and you must be able to stay engaged in the type of care you need to administer the medication as long as you need it.
Huang: It’s Dr. John Brooks, a former chief doctor of the HIV prevention division of the CDC. Dr Brooks, please join you.
Brooks: Thank you very much. Take care of yourself.
Copyright © 2025 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit the pages of use of the conditions of use of our website on www.npr.org for more information.
The accuracy and availability of NPR transcriptions may vary. The transcription text can be revised to correct errors or match audio updates. Audio on npr.org can be published after its original broadcast or publication. The file authorizing the NPR programming is the audio recording.
