A former Trump administration official falsely claimed that PEPFAR—the U.S. global HIV/AIDS program—was funding abortions in Russia. Investigations found no evidence to support the accusation, raising concerns about misinformation influencing critical public health policies.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one false claim—it’s about how baseless accusations can undermine trust in life-saving programs. PEPFAR has been a bipartisan success story for decades, and spreading unfounded rumors risks politicizing health initiatives that millions depend on. It’s a reminder of why fact-checking matters, especially when misinformation could have real-world consequences.

Zackie Achmat, a legendary South African AIDS activist who fought for widespread HIV treatment access years ago, is stepping back into the spotlight. He’s sounding the alarm as U.S. aid cuts and sluggish government action threaten to undo hard-won progress, leaving vulnerable communities at risk once again.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about funding—it’s about lives. Achmat’s return underscores how fragile global health progress can be when political will or financial support falters. For South Africa, where HIV remains a critical issue, setbacks could mean real harm for thousands. It’s a stark reminder that activism isn’t a one-time fight, but a constant push against complacency.

The UN is sounding the alarm: if the U.S. doesn’t step up to replace funding for global HIV programs, we could see over four million AIDS-related deaths and six million new HIV infections by the end of the decade. It’s a stark warning that losing this financial support would undo decades of progress in fighting the epidemic.

South Africa, once a global leader in curbing HIV/AIDS, is now facing a potential surge in infections as crucial US funding gets slashed. The article suggests this could undo years of progress in a country that's been hit hard by the epidemic.

The US has slashed funding for HIV vaccine research in South Africa, forcing critical projects to shut down. This isn't just a local setback—South Africa has been a powerhouse in global health research, from leading COVID-19 variant tracking to pioneering HIV treatments. The cuts could ripple worldwide, slowing progress against a disease that still claims hundreds of thousands of lives annually.