Approximately 1,700 HIV treatment sites have been shuttered in 15 countries following U.S. aid cuts initiated during the Trump administration, according to a new study. The research indicates that these closures have disproportionately impacted children and high-risk adult populations, exacerbating existing health disparities.

The study, published in the journal *The Lancet HIV*, analyzed data from 2017 to 2020, a period that saw significant reductions in funding for global HIV/AIDS programs, particularly through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Researchers found that the decline in services led to a measurable increase in new HIV infections and a decrease in treatment adherence among vulnerable groups. The closures represent a substantial setback in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, undermining years of progress in prevention and care, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where the epidemic is most severe.