Statement from 'For Our Health' on Proposed Elimination of CDC's Division of HIV Prevention
For Our Health is deeply alarmed by reports that the Trump administration is considering the immediate elimination of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Division of HIV Prevention. This division plays a crucial role in tracking HIV infections across the United States and promoting testing and prevention strategies, including the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Its annual budget of $1.3 billion, up to 70% of which goes out to state and local health departments, supports essential services that have been instrumental in reducing new HIV transmissions and saving lives.
Dismantling this division would not only jeopardize decades of progress in HIV prevention but also contradict previous commitments to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. The HHS Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, while vital, cannot absorb the responsibilities of HIV prevention and care, and state budgets are ill-equipped to fill this gap. Without these preventive services, we risk a resurgence of HIV infections, leading to unnecessary illnesses, increased healthcare costs and preventable deaths.
We urge the administration to reconsider this decision and uphold its commitment to public health by maintaining the CDC's Division of HIV Prevention.
---
Action Alert: Protect the CDC's Division of HIV Prevention
The proposed elimination of the CDC's Division of HIV Prevention threatens to dismantle critical efforts that have significantly reduced HIV transmissions nationwide. This action could lead to a preventable resurgence of HIV, causing unnecessary suffering and escalating medical costs.
We need your immediate help to oppose this decision:
1. Contact Your Senators and Representatives:
Please click on the link below at the AIDS United webpage to call your reps and senators and demand that they oppose eliminating the CDC's Division of HIV Prevention:
https://aidsunited.org/action/policy-action-center/protect-cdc/
Or you can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard directly at 202-224-3121 (Senate) or 202-225-3121 (House) to reach your elected officials.
2. Use the Sample Script Below:
Hello,
My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent from [City, State, Zip Code].
I am deeply concerned about reports that the Trump administration plans to eliminate the vital CDC's Division of HIV Prevention. This division is essential for tracking and preventing HIV infections nationwide.
Eliminating it would undermine efforts to end the HIV epidemic, leading to increased infections and higher healthcare costs. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program cannot cover prevention services, and state budgets are unlikely to fill this gap.
I urge you to publicly oppose this proposed elimination and ensure the administration honors its commitment to ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S.
Thank you for your time.
3. Stay Informed:
Join our mailing list for updates on this issue.
