The Trump administration is reportedly weighing a plan to eliminate the CDC’s HIV Prevention Division, a move that could devastate LGBTQ public health efforts nationwide. If implemented, this would mark yet another chapter in the administration’s rollback of vital protections for marginalized communities.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the decision remains in the “very, very preliminary stages.” But advocacy groups aren’t waiting to sound the alarm. A memo circulating among HIV prevention experts suggests the cuts could take place within days, shifting responsibility for HIV prevention programs to another department under the Health and Human Services (HHS) umbrella. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has been floated as a possible new home, but critics argue that it primarily serves people already diagnosed with HIV—not those at risk of contracting the virus.
“It would be devastating,” said Jesse Milan, CEO of AIDS United. “Every new HIV infection comes with a lifetime of medical costs, not to mention the human toll.” Currently, approximately 1.2 million Americans are highly vulnerable to HIV, with LGBTQ individuals—especially Black and Latino gay men—disproportionately affected.
A Step Backward in the Fight Against HIV
The CDC’s HIV Prevention Division plays a critical role in tracking infection rates, funding research, and promoting access to prevention tools like PrEP. Its efforts have helped drive down new infections, especially among younger populations. In 2022, the U.S. saw an estimated 31,800 new HIV cases—a number that could skyrocket if these cuts proceed.
While HHS officials claim the move is part of a broader “streamlining” effort, the reality is clear: this is a targeted dismantling of essential LGBTQ health programs. The administration has already scrubbed HIV-related content from the CDC’s website, reflecting its larger pattern of erasing LGBTQ health concerns from public policy.
Harold Phillips of NMAC, an HIV advocacy group, warned that the Ryan White Program is not a replacement. “It only serves those already diagnosed with HIV. Prevention is its own battle, and without it, we’re setting the clock back on decades of progress.”
Public Health on the Chopping Block
Adding to the concerns, reports indicate that a separate proposal could slash up to $700 million from the CDC’s HIV division. Officials insist that “no final decision has been made,” but given the administration’s track record, there’s little reason for optimism.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Cutting prevention efforts would place the burden squarely on states and local organizations, many of which lack the resources to fill the void. Public health experts fear this could trigger a resurgence of HIV cases, leading to higher long-term costs for taxpayers and, more importantly, unnecessary suffering for those affected.
In an era where HIV prevention tools are more effective than ever, the prospect of gutting these programs is not just reckless—it’s dangerous. And once again, it’s the LGBTQ community that stands to lose the most.