This year, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, February 7, takes place at a time when federal aid programs—including funding for HIV programs—face an uncertain future. On a day highlighting the importance of HIV testing, prevention and treatment in Black communities, a coalition of HIV activists and organizations led by PrEP4All has called on the Trump administration and Congress to preserve federal funding for HIV programs.
In 2023, an estimated 44.5% of people receiving services through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program were Black, helping 87.1% of Black clients to become virally suppressed, that is, their viral load was so low that they could not transmit the virus to sexual partners. Black people in the U.S. continue to have low access to HIV prevention medications, known as PrEP. The rate of PrEP coverage among Black people increased modestly, up from 8% in 2019 to 12.8% in 2022—far short of the 50% goal that had been set for 2025.
HIV advocates and allies in Congress are concerned the Trump administration’s recent moves to freeze many domestic and global aid programs and dismantle government agencies threaten to undo progress that has been years in the making and worsen disparities that have persisted in Black communities. In Congress, Republicans are proposing $700 million in cuts from HIV programs such as Ryan White and the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, a program launched under the first Trump administration.
The advocates’ press release included statements from Congressional allies.
“The disparity in HIV/AIDS incidence among the Black community is a crucial issue that demands urgent action,” said U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (IL-2nd), who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust, which helps set health legislative priorities for its members, in the press release. “Federally funded programs have played a key role in addressing this crisis, saving tens of millions of lives and having the potential to save millions more. We cannot allow the Trump administration’s potential freezing of funds to undermine the progress that we’ve made thus far. Ending the HIV epidemic by 2030 is achievable, but only if we commit to securing the support that these underrepresented communities need.”
“We cannot turn our backs when our national prevention efforts are finally having an impact on the number of new infections for Black communities,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-2nd), chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. “This ongoing crisis has underscored the systemic inequities people living with HIV and AIDS face in accessing healthcare. Now is the time for the government to fulfill its commitment to ending the HIV epidemic, not for the Trump administration to halt critical care programs and put peoples’ lives at risk.”
“For decades, we have fought to end the HIV epidemic, and thanks to scientific advancements, we now have the tools to make that goal a reality,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12th). “But these tools alone are not enough—Black communities continue to face disproportionate rates of HIV due to systemic barriers that limit access to prevention, testing, and care. This is not just a public health crisis—it is a social justice issue. I am grateful to all those working to drive meaningful change in HIV prevention and research. Together, we will continue the work to ensure that the promise of health and dignity reaches every community.
In the press release for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the lawmakers’ statements were accompanied by calls to action from national HIV advocates.
Allison Agwu, MD, ScM, FIDSA, immediate past chair of the HIV Medicine Association, said, “I have provided HIV prevention and treatment to a majority Black population for nearly two decades witnessing daily the lifesaving benefits of HIV prevention and treatment for those with access to them. “PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is an HIV medication that is 99% effective in preventing HIV acquisition and yet too many people in my community and across the country are not able to benefit from it. Nationally, only 14% of Black Americans who could benefit from PrEP have been prescribed it despite making up 39% of new HIV diagnoses. Cutting HIV prevention funding will not only worsen this disparity but increase health care costs as the number of people impacted by HIV increases. By investing in HIV prevention and treatment, we really can end HIV as an epidemic.”
Venita Ray, chair of the US People Living With HIV Caucus, said, “Over the last few years, we have seen either level funding or reductions in funding for HIV care and services. The current halt in funding will further disrupt programs that directly assist people living with HIV in Ryan White funded clinics and housing programs administered by HUD. Since Black people are disproportionately impacted by HIV, these cuts represent one more nail in the coffin of Black Americans already experiencing a large number of health disparities, including HIV/AIDS, rooted in racism and discrimination.”
Danielle M. Campbell, founding member of PrEP in Black America (PIBA), said, “As HIV-related health gaps widen between Black people and other communities, there is a real opportunity to double down on efforts to center all efforts, policies, and advocacy around Black lives.” Leisha McKinley-Beach, also of PIBA and CEO of the Black Public Health Institute, said, “PrEP can be a game changer for Black communities, but only when it’s powered by the right forces—Black leadership, research and access. Without that, it’s just another unused tool, sitting idle in the toolbox.”
The advocates coalition has created an online petition that individuals and organizations can sign, urging members of Congress to preserve federal funding for HIV programs as part of its #SaveHIVFunding campaign.