Biden Administration’s Commitment to Global Health, Including Continued Leadership in Addressing HIV/AIDS

On February 2, 2022, the White House released The Biden Administration’s Commitment to Global Health, a fact sheet on the Administration’s continued efforts to advance global health priorities. The fact sheet discusses the Administration’s ongoing commitment to strengthening health systems and institutions; advancing global health security; combatting HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis; advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, and maternal, neonatal, and child health; closing gaps in nutrition and non-communicable diseases; and accelerating efforts towards universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Agenda.

The fact sheet notes that over the last year, the Biden-Harris Administration has renewed the U.S. leadership in global health, and taken decisive steps to advance global health priorities, including continued global leadership on addressing HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

“Last week, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) celebrated its nineteen-year anniversary. Since its inception and with bilateral support, the U.S. Government has invested $100 billion to transform the global AIDS response. PEPFAR has saved more than 21 million lives, prevented millions of HIV infections, and helped countries build a strong foundation to prevent, detect, and respond to other health threats, including COVID-19. Across 55 countries, PEPFAR invests over $1 billion annually in local health systems strengthening to respond to HIV. At the end of FY21, PEPFAR supported 63.4 million people with HIV testing services, and 18.96 million people with antiretroviral treatment. With $250 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act, PEPFAR has continued to advance HIV gains and supported the global COVID-19 response.”

Discussing step the Administration will take to advance global health priorities, the fact sheet highlights continuing the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis through strong and sustained support for PEPFAR and other efforts, and continuing to champion and expand sexual and reproductive health and rights. It also notes:

“This year, President Biden will host the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment Conference, advancing global efforts to address HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, alongside the U.S. government’s programs.  PEPFAR is saving lives and curbing new HIV infections while supporting the health systems infrastructure in countries that continue to serve as a backbone of the COVID-19 response. PEPFAR’s assets can be further leveraged to support the COVID-19 response, while protecting and expanding HIV services and serving the most vulnerable populations around the world.”

Read the fact sheet: The Biden Administration’s Commitment to Global Health.