{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"GiveWell Conversations","title":"Exploring HIV/AIDS Funding Cuts and Emerging Needs: June 5, 2025","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1657,"description":"The US government has historically been a major funder of HIV/AIDS programs, providing around $5 to $6 billion annually through PEPFAR and other initiatives. With anticipated major reductions in US government foreign aid, including potential cuts of 20% to 50% to HIV/AIDS funding, GiveWell is assessing where new, cost-effective needs might emerge.GiveWell aims to find programs where additional funding can have the greatest impact. While HIV/AIDS has not historically been a focus for GiveWell due to substantial US government support, the current funding cuts might lead to potential cost-effective opportunities within HIV/AIDS programming. In the latest episode in our podcast series, GiveWell CEO and co-founder Elie Hassenfeld speaks with Program Officer Alice Redfern about our initial exploration into HIV/AIDS programming.Elie and Alice discuss:Prevention programs for high-risk populations: While HIV/AIDS treatment and mother-to-child prevention programs are likely to retain funding, prevention programs targeting other high-risk groups have already seen significant cuts and program cancellations. GiveWell is focused on finding cost-effective opportunities within HIV/AIDS programming, and prevention efforts targeting high-transmission populations offer the greatest potential to reduce overall infection rates.The challenge of finding cost-effective opportunities: Unlike GiveWell’s typical approach of broad coverage in a targeted geography (like distributing malaria nets to all children under five in high-burden areas), HIV prevention requires targeting high-risk populations to be cost-effective. This creates a complex “search problem” of identifying programs that efficiently reach these populations in areas with high transmission rates.Promising innovations on the horizon: The emergence of highly effective, long-acting injectables like Lenacapavir offers game-changing potential for HIV prevention. However, their future cost-effectiveness and feasibility at scale...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/-u3xe4YYytsIA-MwiMODoBW-Emt4SwBumSBMmblDbUM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wNTc2/MzVhY2UyNmY0ZTZl/MzYwNmZkOGVlMGU3/NDYyMC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}