New data from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief reveals sharp declines in HIV testing and treatment following the Trump administration's abrupt halt and restart of the program. The State Department report shows PEPFAR tested 17.2 million people in the last quarter of 2025, down from 21.9 million in the same period of 2024.

Despite overall treatment numbers remaining stable, diagnoses fell to 307,000 from 385,000, with particularly concerning drops in infant treatment. Public health experts warn these declines will have long-term consequences for HIV prevention efforts. The administration's policy shift toward bilateral agreements and country self-reliance has disrupted the web of organizations delivering treatment in low-income nations.

While some advocates note the situation isn't as dire as initially feared, the data shows deliberate unraveling of essential HIV prevention and treatment services. The Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid ruptured decades of progress, with testing down 22 percent and preventive medication use falling 37 percent. PEPFAR, which has saved 26 million lives since 2003, now faces an uncertain future as disease-specific programs are phased out.