HIV Crosses Borders, Trump's Plan Leaves U.S. at Risk, Expert Says

HIV Crosses Borders, Trump's Plan Leaves U.S. at Risk, Expert Says

M Hasan    6:50 AM   

The Importance of Global Health in Protecting American Interests

In a world that is increasingly interconnected, the health of people in other countries directly impacts the safety and well-being of Americans. Diseases such as HIV do not respect national borders, and the spread of untreated HIV in one region can pose a risk to U.S. citizens. This reality underscores the importance of global health initiatives in safeguarding public health both domestically and internationally.

Changes in U.S. Policy Under Trump's Administration

The Trump administration introduced several changes to U.S. global health policy that have raised concerns among experts and public health advocates. One significant shift was the America First Global Health Strategy, announced by the U.S. Department of State in September 2025. This strategy aimed to make "America safer, stronger, and more prosperous" by encouraging other governments to take responsibility for their citizens' health while promoting U.S. commercial and faith-based interests.

The plan included a commitment to purchase and distribute lenacapavir, a breakthrough HIV preventive drug, for up to 2 million people—primarily pregnant and breastfeeding women—in 10 countries heavily affected by HIV. However, this initiative has been criticized for not addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations who require access to HIV care.

Disruption of PEPFAR and Its Consequences

One of the most significant impacts of the Trump administration's policies was the disruption of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), one of the most effective foreign assistance programs in U.S. history. Since its inception in 2003 under President George W. Bush, PEPFAR has saved an estimated 26 million lives and played a crucial role in reducing HIV deaths by 70% since 2004.

However, on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that paused funding for all foreign aid programs, including PEPFAR. This decision led to the shutdown of PEPFAR-supported clinics, halted medical shipments, and resulted in mass layoffs of the global HIV workforce. The dissolution of USAID further undermined PEPFAR's ability to function effectively.

The consequences of these actions have been severe. It is projected that the disruption will cause 4.1 million additional deaths and 7.5 million new HIV infections by 2030. These numbers highlight the devastating impact of cutting critical health programs.

Limitations of the New HIV Prevention Strategy

The Trump administration's new global HIV prevention strategy focuses primarily on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. While this is an important goal, it overlooks the needs of other vulnerable populations, such as sex workers, people who use injectable drugs, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, prisoners, and their sexual partners. These groups account for 55% of new HIV infections globally and face significant barriers to accessing care due to stigma, discrimination, and legal challenges.

Legal pushback allowed limited parts of PEPFAR to restart, but access to HIV medication was restricted to only pregnant and breastfeeding women. This exclusion leaves many at-risk individuals without the necessary support and treatment.

The Role of Community-Led Initiatives

Community-led initiatives have historically played a vital role in addressing HIV. Peer-to-peer support networks have been instrumental in connecting vulnerable populations with essential services. However, the Trump administration's strategy shifts focus away from these community-driven efforts, favoring government health care workers instead.

This approach raises concerns about the quality of care provided to marginalized communities. Many individuals living with or vulnerable to HIV distrust government-run facilities due to past experiences of discrimination, mistreatment, and lack of confidentiality. Research shows that fear of repercussions, such as arrest, violence, or loss of employment, further deters people from seeking care.

Faith-Based Organizations and Their Impact

The new strategy also reallocates funds to faith-based organizations, citing their potential reach through religious leaders. However, some of these organizations have been associated with anti-LGBTQ+ stances and discriminatory practices. For example, conservative evangelical groups have supported punitive laws against homosexuality in countries like Uganda, where HIV remains a major public health challenge.

These organizations often fail to provide the inclusive and non-judgmental care that vulnerable populations need. As a result, many at-risk individuals avoid seeking help due to fear of stigma and discrimination.

A Unique Approach to HIV

Effectively addressing HIV requires more than just medical treatment; it demands a comprehensive approach that considers the social, psychological, and structural factors affecting vulnerable populations. Unlike other diseases, HIV disproportionately affects adults and adolescents, requiring interventions focused on sexual health and harm reduction.

The Trump administration's strategy consolidates efforts across four diseases—malaria, polio, tuberculosis, and HIV—without accounting for the unique needs of each population. This one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective in addressing the specific challenges faced by those at risk of HIV.

A Healthy World Benefits Everyone

While the countries that benefited from PEPFAR may seem far from U.S. soil, their health issues are closely tied to American interests. In an interconnected world, global health crises can have far-reaching economic and societal consequences. The initial HIV crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic serve as reminders of the importance of global health security.

Ensuring that people worldwide receive appropriate HIV treatment and care supports U.S. national security, diplomatic, and economic interests. A healthy global population fosters economic stability and strengthens international partnerships. Ultimately, a healthy world contributes to a more prosperous, peaceful, and stable world for everyone.

French Sailor Battles Cancer, Wins 64-Day Solo Race: 'I Was Happy at Sea'

French Sailor Battles Cancer, Wins 64-Day Solo Race: 'I Was Happy at Sea'

M Hasan    7:45 PM   

French offshore sailor Charlie Dalin, 41, claimed victory in the prestigious 2024/2025 Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race in January. However, he recently revealed that he completed the race, which took 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds, while undergoing treatment for a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a rare form of cancer that originates in the digestive tract.

In an exclusive interview, the naval architect — who released his autobiography, La Force du Destin (“The Force of Destiny”) on Thursday — shared his inspiring story at sea, where he simultaneously battled the ocean and his illness. He described the moment he discovered he had a GIST attached to the outside of his small intestine, which had likely been growing for several years. “It was a huge shock,” he recalled.

What Is a GIST Tumor?
According to the Mayo Clinic, gastrointestinal stromal tumors typically develop in the stomach or small intestine, as in Dalin’s case. Small GISTs often do not cause symptoms and grow slowly, but they can eventually lead to abdominal pain and nausea. At the time of his diagnosis, Dalin said, “I didn’t know if it was treatable, or if I would even be able to celebrate my 40th birthday a few months later.”

A Year Before the Race
Roughly one year before beginning the Vendée Globe, Dalin experienced persistent abdominal pain and lost about ten pounds. Despite this, he continued with his training and qualified for the race, which he had previously placed second in during the 2020 edition. “That’s when I learned I would need surgery and begin immunotherapy to shrink the tumor as much as possible.”

“The Pain Disappeared”
Dalin stated that his oncologist cleared him for the race, emphasizing that he would not have participated if there had been any hesitation from his medical team. He said that once he started treatment, “I regained weight, endurance, and strength, and the pain disappeared.” His optimism never wavered, and he carried three or four months’ worth of medications with him, just in case.

“I don’t think much about the illness anymore; I was happy at sea and made the most of every minute sailing.”
He added, “I felt like I had my old life back, despite some bouts of major fatigue. I honestly didn’t have much self-doubt. I was both relaxed and calm about the stakes, and more motivated than ever to win.”

Daily Life at Sea
During the unassisted yacht race, Dalin managed to average six and a half hours of sleep per day, broken into naps. He even slept twice for 11 hours straight — something many people on land could not achieve.

After his incredible victory, however, Dalin faced another setback. He was unable to attend his own prize ceremony on May 10, which also happened to be his 41st birthday. But he did not let this affect the magnitude of his win. “It was a tough period. And it was a great victory, since a year earlier I didn’t even know if I’d still be alive.”

A ‘Period of Uncertainty’
Dalin later underwent another surgery, and his medical team found that the illness had returned in a slightly different form. During a “period of uncertainty,” he said his immunotherapy stopped working, and he lost weight again. Eventually, a new treatment stabilized his condition, though it is far from over.

For now, Dalin is realistic about the fact that he will not compete in the 2028 Vendée Globe because it would be too exhausting and risky. Instead, he is using his energy to inspire others with his courageous story. He thanks his doctors for helping him understand that speaking openly could help other patients and their loved ones, as he was once very private about his health after his diagnosis.

“While it’s good to give hope and the desire to fight, you also have to [be careful],” he said. “This illness really is case by case, and everyone does what they can within their own limits.”

What’s Next?
As for what is next for Dalin, the waterman said he is not quite sure. “I hope to return to transatlantic races, but for now, everything is on hold.”

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Resilience: Staying Positive Despite Adversity
My healthy of life specializes in covering the lives of people who overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Often, seeing the positive helps them maintain their resilience.

The extraordinary film Resilience follows a trio of adaptive athletes, including Jerad Fischer, who talk about “refusing to live with boundaries.” Their stories, which illustrate an unconquerable human spirit, are inspirational for anyone living with cancer or chronic disease.

Take Jerad Fischer. Despite having had his leg amputated in an accident, Fischer continues to pursue his passion for mountain biking. He straps on a prosthetic leg and regularly speeds over ramps and rough terrain with his friends. His enjoyment of his sport inspires his buddies, who listen to him hoot as he sails over a small hill and see his wide smile when he comes down.

Lindsey Runkel and Dan Soller, who also suffered debilitating injuries, refuse to let their injuries change their lives or stop them from pursuing their passions.

Watch: Resilience on My healthy of life

Dr. Zuri Murrell, a leading colorectal cancer surgeon in Los Angeles, previously spoke with My healthy of life about the role of a positive outlook on survival rates: “I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patient are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”

Bouncing Back from Tough Times
Resilience is an important trait, but not the easiest to build. The ultimate goal is not to avoid tough times, but to be able to bounce back from them. And yet, when they are faced with an overwhelming, life-changing situation, how do people shift their view? How do they learn to see the problem as temporary, rather than permanent, and figure out a solution?

It’s complicated, because building resilience is more about your mental and emotional fortitude than anything else. According to the American Psychological Association, “the resources and skills associated with more positive adaptation (i.e., greater resilience) can be cultivated and practiced.” In other words, resilience is not something you’re born with, which should be encouraging. Instead, after every challenge in your life, you build more and more resilience to those hard times.

You can build resilience the way you build muscle – through patience and steady exercise of the skill. Here are some lessons taken from Fischer, Runkel, and Soller:

• Be willing to learn. If one way doesn’t work, find a different way. If an obstacle lands in your way, build a path around it or over it. In Resilience, one of the athletes says, “You always have to be learning. Otherwise, life gets stagnant.” The more you learn, the more you grow and growth is a sign of resilience.
• Spend time with people who inspire you. Our world is filled with people who overcome challenges, and their success can energize you to overcome your own. Think about famous people who have faced adversity and did not give up. Stephen King actually threw his manuscript, Carrie, in the trash because it had been rejected by publishers so many times. His wife encouraged him to keep sending it out, and he finally sold it in 1974, launching a massively successful career as a novelist.
• Allow yourself to grieve. Don’t push away or dismiss your frustration and sadness. Ben Fischer says that life can be filled with lots of crying, but “Those cries make us stronger.”
• Be flexible. Abandon the idea that there is only one solution or that you must stick to your original plan. The best solution or plan is the one that eventually works. You may need to change your original plan as the circumstances change.
• Lean in to your community. Your friends, colleagues, and family are invaluable, and when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed by a problem, their support can carry you. The Harvard Study of Adult Development is the longest study of human well-being. Many news outlets have covered its results, which show that maintaining strong, healthy relationships helped people live longer lives. Psychiatrist and author Dr. Samantha Boardman tells My healthy of life that connecting with and contributing to the lives of other people are two of “the three wellsprings of vitality” (the third is feeling positively challenged).

Stream Resilience and many other stories of courage and determination like Charlie Dalin’s on My healthy of life.