United We Rise Statement on Proposed HIV Budget Cuts
  • May 12, 2025

United We Rise Statement on Proposed HIV Budget Cuts

HIV is still a major issue in the U.S – and Black people are experiencing the greatest burden. Black Americans account for 38% of new HIV cases each year despite making up just 12% of the U.S. population. Why? Because health disparities fueled by racism (and anti-Blackness)
continue to create barriers to HIV prevention and care.

The current federal administration policy decisions have effectively abandoned the U.S. role in the global HIV response. Domestically, the progress we have made over the past 40 years is threatened by severe cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National
Institutes of Health, as well as by the proposed elimination of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative.

United We Rise is a Black-led, intersectional collaborative that re-imagines a pathway to the end of the HIV epidemic, while uplifting the health of all Black people. We ask the question, “What would the response to HIV look like if led by Black people?”

As it is often said, “When America catches a cold, Black people get pneumonia.” Hence, while the greater HIV movement has rallied to voice concern about the impact of cuts across all communities, UWR is laser focused on the detrimental impact of budget cuts and reduced HIV investments on Black communities.

Why Cuts to HIV Funding Matter To Black Communities

  • Fewer HIV prevention, care, and research resources: Without support for a dedicated treatment and prevention funding and research infrastructure, there will be fewer prevention campaigns, fewer HIV tests, fewer people accessing treatment, and inadequate support services to keep people in care and staying healthy. A recent amfAR report projects over 143,000 additional HIV infections; over 14,500 additional deaths, and additional costs of over $60 billion. Black communities are at much greater vulnerability compared to non-Black communities.
  • Harm to Black Women, Black LGBTQ+, and Black Immigrant Communities: Black LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants are particularly vulnerable to HIV. Black women are more impacted than women of other races. The disinvestment in HIV prevention and care jeopardizes programs designed to protect these populations.
  • Burden on States: If federal funding is gutted or redirected without proper planning, state and local governments will be left to fill the gap. But will they? Many states are already under financial strain, which will leave critical services unfunded
  • Longstanding Anti-Black Racism: Systemic anti-Black racism has long fueled health inequities, denying Black people the resources they need to thrive. Disrupting HIV programs will further deepen these disparities, with more new HIV acquisitions and more deaths from HIV in Black communities.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

We need to act now to stop these cuts and protect Black communities from harmful policies that
jeopardize our health.

Here’s what you can do today:

📣 Spread the Word
Use the AIDS United Toolkit to raise awareness about these dangerous cuts. Share facts, messages, and graphics to amplify the urgency—because these cuts will hurt Black communities the most: https://shorturl.at/uIiL5

📞 Call Your State and Local Representatives
Educate ALL your elected officials about why HIV prevention funding must be protected. Your voice matters. Use our sample script and instructions to make your call today: https://bit.ly/protect-CDC

📞 Call Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
Reach out directly to educate CBC members and demand action to prioritize HIV funding and resources: https://cbc.house.gov

🧠 Get Involved with us | @everyblackbody
Follow United We Rise on social media and join our upcoming webinars to get updates and strategies to take action.
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/ihBa6zj

📅 Schedule In-District Meetings
Schedule in-district meetings with your members of Congress. https://shorturl.at/LjfRP
Interested in joining? We’ve also included talking points and meeting prep materials to help you get ready — check them out https://shorturl.at/ykP8A