HIV/AIDS State & USAID

Description

HIV/AIDS programs collaborate and partner 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 it buy?

HIV/AIDS programs support multi-sectoral responses to HIV/AIDS to reduce the widespread impacts of the pandemic. Funds also provide technical assistance and HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. Further, funds support research, development, and dissemination of new technologies, including microbicides and an HIV vaccine.

Why is it important?

• As of September 2019, U.S. assistance provided life-saving antiretroviral treatment to more than 15.7 million patients. Nearly 40% of people living with HIV globally still do not have access to the antiretroviral therapy they need to survive and thrive.
• In FY 2018, PEPFAR supported nearly 95 million people with HIV through counseling and testing programs.
• Due to the efforts of 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.
• 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 2018, approximately 37.9 million people were living with HIV. This figure includes 1.7 million children under the age of 15.

Why should Americans care?

• This investment helps countries develop the capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to other infectious disease outbreaks. Countries where PEPFAR works show more significant increases in worker productivity and economic development than other nations.
• Countries with HIV/AIDS programs experience improvement in government effectiveness and rule of law.

What more could be done?

• Experts estimate that there is a 20% gap in global investment needed to meet the 90-90-90 targets 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.
• 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. New 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.