Why Elon is wrong about condoms and why choice matters for HIV prevention

We know that new prevention technologies can join tried and tested ways to reduce new HIV infections. But the US administration’s decision to cut aid funding has left millions of people without access to vital HIV prevention services and ended research on new HIV prevention tools.

A new animation developed by Frontline AIDS and partners explores why people at different stages in their lives need different HIV prevention options to support their lifestyles and circumstances.

We know that prioritising choice and ensuring that everyone has access to the prevention methods they want and need is crucial because no one size fits all. Alongside condoms, new long-acting injectables such as lenacapavir, are potential gamechangers. Studies have shown them to be highly effective in preventing HIV.

As organisations continue to grapple with the fallout of the US aid funding freeze, we must step up action to prevent a spike in new HIV infectionsLeora Pillay, HIV Prevention Advocacy lead, Frontline AIDS

But community-based organisations around the world, including Frontline AIDS partners, who receive US government funding have received orders to suspend their work. This work was, in some cases, supporting the roll out of new and existing prevention methods.

The US administration has also placed conditions on who has access to these services, freezing funding for work linked to gender or Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programming. which will inevitably lead to a surge new HIV infections.

Many partners have gone from providing a lifeline to marginalised communities with prevention services, condoms, lubricants and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – to stopping services altogether.

Sustaining and scaling up prevention services are critical
In Kenya, one of our partners has halted their participation in a study into the effectiveness of the dapivirine vaginal ring, the first discreet prevention tool for women, due to a pause in funding. Currently, there are no guarantees that participants in the study can access existing or new supplies. Staff are not available to distribute stock and existing supplies may expire, potentially disrupting the study and jeopardising Kenya’s decision to scale up distribution.

Last year, 1.3 million people got HIV. High levels of stigma and discrimination and punitive laws leave marginalised people, including adolescent girls and young women, more vulnerable to HIV. Withdrawing access to essential prevention services puts them at increased risk of getting HIV.

“As organisations continue to grapple with the fallout of the US aid funding freeze, we must step up action to prevent a spike in new HIV infections,” says Leora Pillay, HIV Prevention Advocacy lead, Frontline AIDS. “Governments must work alongside community-based organisations and manufacturers to sustain services, approve new prevention methods without delay and ensure that service delivery is integrated into government-led HIV prevention initiatives.”

Watch our animation on HIV prevention and choice: why one size doesn’t fit all