Eight former CDC directors have identified critical risks associated with the proposed PEPFAR restructuring, offering healthcare professionals and policymakers three key concerns to understand.
First, the transition would eliminate decades of accumulated epidemiological expertise and field implementation knowledge that currently distinguishes PEPFAR’s operational success. Second, the restructuring could directly impact treatment continuity for over 20 million people living with HIV who depend on PEPFAR-supported services globally. Third, dismantling PEPFAR’s integration with CDC’s global health infrastructure would weaken disease surveillance and laboratory capacity that supports pandemic preparedness beyond HIV.
These structural vulnerabilities extend the implications far beyond HIV prevention alone. For healthcare systems relying on PEPFAR’s infrastructure, laboratory networks, and epidemiological support, the June 1, 2026 implementation date represents a critical timeline for intervention and advocacy.
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