A new poll shows broad bipartisan support for the U.S. HIV/AIDS program PEPFAR among voters ahead of the midterm elections in Congress. At the same time, the administration of Donald Trump continues to cut funding and change the structure of the program, which is causing concern among experts and civil society organizations.
Support for international HIV/AIDS programs remains important for American voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This is evidenced by the results of a new poll, which shows that most citizens have a positive attitude towards the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) — one of the largest international health programs launched by the United States, writes The Guardian.
According to the survey, 74% of voters surveyed support PEPFAR. At the same time, approval of the program is observed among both Democrats and Republicans. A significant portion of respondents also said they would be more likely to support candidates who support continued funding for the initiative.
PEPFAR was launched in 2003 under President George W. Bush and has remained a key U.S. tool in the global fight against the HIV epidemic for two decades. The program has enjoyed consistent bipartisan support and is considered one of the most successful examples of U.S. international aid.
However, the current administration of Donald Trump has significantly changed the approach to implementing the program. According to the information provided in the article, a significant portion of the funds previously allocated to PEPFAR through federal agencies have been reallocated. In particular, the role of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which had long provided technical support, monitoring, and data analysis for the program, has been significantly reduced.
Public health experts warn that the CDC’s reduced involvement could have consequences that go far beyond the fight against HIV. In their opinion, the infrastructure created thanks to PEPFAR played an important role in identifying and responding to other infectious threats around the world. It was through this network that the United States received information about potential outbreaks of dangerous diseases and could quickly coordinate the international response.
Experts recall that the epidemiological surveillance system formed within the program helped not only in the fight against HIV, but also in responding to other health emergencies. In their opinion, reducing funding and dismantling individual elements of this system could weaken the ability of the international community to respond quickly to future outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Critics of the current policy also express concern about the transition from a centralized model of program management to a system of bilateral agreements with individual countries. They believe that this approach can make it difficult to monitor results, as well as reduce the transparency of the use of funds and the effectiveness of prevention measures.
At the same time, supporters of PEPFAR emphasize that the program is important not only as a humanitarian initiative. In their opinion, it also strengthens the international authority of the United States and promotes the development of long-term partnerships with the countries receiving assistance.
The survey results show that many American voters share this point of view. For them, supporting global HIV programs is not only a moral obligation, but also an element of US international leadership.
With the midterm elections approaching, the question of the future of PEPFAR may become one of the factors in political discussions. The authors of the study note that the high level of public support for the program contrasts with the current course of the Trump administration to reduce and reorganize certain areas of international health assistance. According to experts, further curtailment of these programs could have not only global implications for the fight against HIV, but also political costs within the United States itself.