Wed Apr 02 13:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump-Era CDC Cuts Threaten to Reverse Progress Against HIV in Georgia

**Atlanta, GA** – The Trump administration’s recent cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are raising serious concerns about a resurgence of HIV infections in Georgia, particularly in Atlanta, which already has one of the nation’s highest rates. The cuts, which resulted in termination notices for hundreds of CDC employees this week, have effectively crippled divisions focused on HIV and hepatitis prevention.

Former CDC officials warn that the elimination of entire branches, including key research units, will not only lead to job losses but also severely hamper efforts to understand and combat the spread of HIV. The loss of researchers assessing the effectiveness of existing programs means valuable taxpayer funds may be wasted on ineffective initiatives. The closure of the Public Health Associate Program, which trains crucial prevention workers, further exacerbates the situation.

“We are going to see people die of AIDS in the U.S. in 2025,” said Sara Ziegler, a former CDC associate director. This grim prediction underscores the concern that the cuts will reverse years of progress in HIV prevention.

The economic impact on Atlanta and Georgia is expected to be significant, with hundreds of jobs lost and the state’s ability to effectively deploy prevention resources compromised. The cuts are particularly troubling given Georgia’s high infection rate: 2,575 new HIV diagnoses in 2022 alone, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Experts highlight that the cuts hinder access to preventative medication like PrEP, which, if widely accessible, could drastically reduce new infections. The inability to track the effectiveness of current programs and train new professionals creates a dangerous gap in public health infrastructure. These cuts are viewed by many public health experts as potentially causing generational damage to health research and the elimination of infectious diseases. The Georgia Department of Public Health has yet to comment publicly on the impact of these cuts.

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