Impact of HIV funding cuts, and the rise of digital public infrastructure

Listen to "Impact of HIV funding cuts, and the rise of digital public infrastructure" on Spreaker.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, YouTube, or search “Devex” in your favorite podcast app.

We dig into the details of a new report published by UNAIDS, which found that donor funding cuts to the HIV response could lead to an additional 3.9 million new infections over the next five years, even if treatment coverage is maintained. The report, published on World AIDS Day 2025, called on governments to uphold human rights and urged funders to dedicate more resources to HIV prevention, including the highly effective twice-yearly injectable, lenacapavir.

Last week, the U.S. State Department announced a grant of up to $150 million to drone company Zipline to expand health supply operations in five African countries. We highlight how this decision could signal the Trump administration’s new approach to global health aid.

We also unpack how digital public infrastructure, or DPI, is becoming a vital development tool, and contemplate whether it can offer a more collaborative, cost-effective approach, especially given the recent cuts to foreign assistance.

To explore these stories, and others, Senior Reporter Adva Saldinger sits down with Senior Editor for Special Coverage Catherine Cheney and Senior Reporter Jenny Lei Ravelo to discuss the top global development stories of the week.

During the sponsored segment of This week in global development, brought to you by Pivotal, Catherine sits down with Action for Women’s Health grantee Lisel Lifshitz Gudiño, who is also the executive director of Mujeres Aliadas. Her leadership champions the midwifery practice, ensuring the delivery of safe, dignified, and culturally sensitive health care. Learn more about the awardees and explore the content series.

Sign up to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters.