As the next move in a massive government restructuring, the Trump administration is threatening to do away with the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention. This reckless move will put millions of Americans at risk and set back decades of progress against a preventable, lifelong disease. We must stand together to defend HIV prevention – we can't go backward. 

Reports indicate that the administration is considering eliminating this critical division, potentially shifting its responsibilities to another agency, or drastically cutting its funding by as much as $700 million. Such a move could have devastating consequences for public health, reversing decades of progress in preventing new HIV infections.

The CDC’s HIV Prevention Division is responsible for tracking HIV infections nationwide, conducting vital research on HIV transmission and prevention, and supporting testing and prevention efforts, including the use of PrEP.

If this division is eliminated or significantly reduced, prevention efforts could falter, shifting the burden onto states and local communities. Scaling back prevention efforts will not only lead to a resurgence of HIV infections, but will also increase long-term healthcare costs for taxpayers.

We call on the Trump administration to maintain full funding and support for the CDC’s HIV Prevention Division to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS and protect the health and well-being of millions of Americans.