HIV has been in retreat around the world. 

Fewer people are dying of the disease.

New infections are decreasing. 

More HIV positive people have access to life saving medicine.

Those trend lines have been moving in the right direction for decades. 

And US investment is one big reason.

The Trump Administration dismantled foreign assistance through USAID, it continued PEPFAR — the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief — but much of the work is either no longer happening or happening at a very reduced capacity.

For decades, the United States led global efforts to end HIV/AIDS. That's no longer happening. Where will the trend lines go from here? 

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This episode was produced by Jeffrey Pierre. You also heard reporting in this episode from NPR’s Gabrielle Emanuel from Zambia.

It was edited by Courtney Dorning and Rebecca Davis.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.


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