amfAR Applauds President Biden’s Commitment to Ending HIV Epidemic

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Robert Kessler
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robert.kessler@amfar.org

President Biden’s proposed budget includes an historic $377 million increase for the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) Initiative

NEW YORK, March 29, 2022 — amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, salutes the White House’s commitment to funding efforts to end HIV/AIDS, both domestically and internationally. Released Monday, President Biden’s proposed 2023 budget provides $850 million funding for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) Initiative. It also funds HIV/AIDS research efforts across the National Institutes of Health at $3.1 billion, which will allow the NIH to pursue prevention, treatment, and cure strategies around the world.

“This budget shows President Biden’s commitment to ending the HIV epidemic, domestically and abroad,” amfAR Vice President and Director of Public Policy Greg Millett said. “We’re hopeful that bipartisan support will ensure the continuation of Important investments to end the HIV epidemic. Four decades in, HIV remains a major public health threat — one that can be overcome with political will and the right investments.”

The EHE is a federal initiative aimed at reducing new HIV infections in the U.S. by 75% in five years and by 90% in 10. It was launched in 2019 by the Trump Administration and targets those parts of the U.S. with the highest concentrations of HIV infection. amfAR’s EHE database enables policymakers and advocates to track the plan’s progress across the targeted jurisdictions.

“We have the tools and the know-how to prevent HIV, but it requires cooperation and investment to make lasting progress,” amfAR’s Chief Executive Officer Kevin Robert Frost said. “amfAR applauds President Biden’s commitment to ending the HIV epidemic and we strongly urge Congress to approve these much-needed funds.”

There were 36,801 new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. and dependent areas in 2019. Globally, nearly 38 million people are living with HIV/AIDS; every three minutes someone around the world newly acquires HIV.