September 4, 2025
The news is moving fast, and the need for advocacy is moving even faster. AVAC is providing resources, updates on its fight against the US government on the foreign aid freeze, documenting impacts on STI prevention, and sharing new opportunities for education and advocacy in HIV prevention.
AVAC Condemns US Administration’s ‘Pocket Rescission’ Request to Withhold Billions in Foreign Aid
The latest move by the US Administration to undermine congressional checks and balances and gut funding for foreign assistance involves a so-called “pocket rescission” whereby the President asks Congress to approve the cancellation of funds late in the fiscal year. Read AVAC’s statement and NPR’s coverage, White House goes after more foreign aid cuts for more context.
And late last night, the US District Court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the government from withholding funds Congress has already appropriated. Most significantly, the judge addressed the illegality of “pocket rescissions”.
The Real-World Impact of Defunding STI Research
The impact of US funding cuts on STI research and prevention remains largely overlooked—even as the consequences grow dire. These cuts are devastating STI surveillance, prevention, diagnostics and research and development. In a new piece for TheBodyPro, AVAC’s Alison Footman documents these losses through the voices of seven leading researchers whose work—and communities—are directly at risk. Read it on TheBodyPro.
Resources
- HIV Prevention R&D at Risk: Tracking the Impact of US Funding Cuts highlights the impact of US cuts to the pipeline of HIV prevention R&D. And learn about the Impact of PEPFAR Stop Work Orders and Why STI Funding Matters in AVAC’s other trackers of the impacts and consequences of the Administration’s actions.
- Track the progress of AVAC’s court fight against executive overreach on our dedicated page: AVAC v. United States Department of State
- Our weekly Global Health Watch newsletter to keep advocates informed, prepared, and connected. Subscribe here.
Events
Will Lenacapavir be a Lever or a Let-Down? Lessons, Resources and Considerations for Implementation in the United States
Hosted by The Choice Agenda and the HIV BLUPrInt team, this webinar will explore what’s next for rolling out injectable lenacapavir for PrEP (LEN) in the US, and the advocacy to increase HIV prevention access, empowerment, and reach. Find additional resources on rolling out LEN globally, how to achieve impact on the epidemic, and an overview of the efficacy trials here.
South Africa AIDS Conference (SAAIDS), September 8-11
Attending the 12th annual SA AIDS conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, next week? Don’t miss the Advocates’ Corner, a keynote plenary where AVAC’s Mitchell Warren shares perspective on the future of HIV prevention, and an important satellite on Wednesday, Bridging the Gap and Identifying Opportunities: Innovative Strategies to Accelerate HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care for Key and Vulnerable Populations in South Africa.
24 Hours to Save AIDS Research!
AVAC and partners are hosting a 24-hour livestream event with scientists, researchers and advocates from around the world to share insights, answer questions, and inspire action!
Join us on YouTube, and track the conversation on Bluesky (@saveaidsresearch.bsky.social) and Instagram (@saveaidsresearch). Starting on September 16 at 11am ET and continuing for 24 hours!
For busy advocates, we hope these resources and opportunities will support your work in the fight to save investment in research, to speed access to choices in HIV & STI prevention, and to bolster the HIV response in this time of transition.