On World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has made a compelling call for governments and international partners to swiftly expand access to newly approved HIV prevention tools, including lenacapavir (LEN). This initiative aims to reduce infections and address the disruptions to essential health services caused by significant cuts in foreign aid.
Despite facing substantial funding setbacks, the global response to HIV has gained notable momentum in 2025 with the introduction and WHO approval of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention. LEN offers a highly effective, long-acting alternative to oral pills, providing a transformative option for individuals who struggle with regular adherence and face stigma in accessing healthcare. In July, WHO released new guidelines recommending lenacapavir as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention.
Impact of Funding Cuts on HIV Services
This year has seen sharp reductions in international funding, leading to disruptions in HIV prevention, treatment, and testing services. Essential community-led programs, including PrEP and harm reduction initiatives for people who inject drugs, have been scaled back or shut down entirely in some countries.
“We face significant challenges, with cuts to international funding, and prevention stalling,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “At the same time, we have significant opportunities, with exciting new tools with the potential to change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic. Expanding access to those tools for people at risk of HIV everywhere must be priority number one for all governments and partners.”
Marking World AIDS Day under the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” WHO is advocating for a dual-track approach—solidarity and investment in innovations to protect and empower communities most at risk.
Challenges and Opportunities in HIV Prevention
After decades of progress, the HIV response stands at a crossroads. In 2024, HIV prevention efforts stagnated, with 1.3 million new infections disproportionately impacting key and vulnerable populations. According to UNAIDS data, almost half (49%) of new HIV infections occurred among key populations, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender women, and people who inject drugs, along with their sexual partners.
Sex workers and transgender women face a 17-fold higher risk of acquiring HIV, men who have sex with men face an 18-fold higher risk, and people who inject drugs face a 34-fold higher risk.
Underlying these statistics are stigma, discrimination, and various legal, social, and structural barriers that these groups face in accessing HIV care. Globally, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV, and 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes in the past year.
While the full impact of foreign aid cuts is still being assessed, access to PrEP is believed to have declined dramatically. The AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition estimates that as of October 2025, 2.5 million people who used PrEP in 2024 lost access to their medications in 2025 due solely to donor funding cuts. Such disruptions could have far-reaching consequences for the global HIV response, jeopardizing efforts to end AIDS by 2030.
Momentum for Innovation
“We are entering a new era of powerful innovations in HIV prevention and treatment,” said Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis and STIs. “By pairing these advances with decisive action, supporting communities, and removing structural barriers, we can ensure that key and vulnerable populations have full access to life-saving services.”
WHO prequalified LEN for HIV prevention on October 6, 2025, followed by national regulatory approvals that will increase access in South Africa (October 27), Zimbabwe (November 27), and Zambia (November 4). WHO’s Collaborative Registration Procedure (CRP) supported these approvals. WHO is also working closely with partners such as CIFF, the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and Unitaid to enable affordable access to LEN in countries. Ensuring that long-acting HIV medicines for prevention and treatment reach priority populations must be a global priority.
Integrating HIV Services into Primary Health Care
WHO emphasizes that ending the AIDS epidemic depends on a fully integrated, evidence-based, and rights-driven approach under the umbrella of primary health care. WHO will continue working with partners and leaders to put those most affected at the center of the HIV response. Despite funding setbacks, the resilience and leadership of communities offer a clear path forward. By strengthening health systems, increasing domestic investment, and protecting human rights, countries can safeguard gains and ensure no one is left behind.
