Washington: The Trump administration is considering a plan to dissolve the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) division dedicated to fighting AIDS, potentially relocating its responsibilities to another branch within the Department of Health and Human Services. This information was reported by NBC News on Tuesday, citing a source familiar with the plan.

According to Anadolu Agency, the proposal is still in its early stages, with no final decision reached. A circulating memo among HIV prevention advocates suggested that the change could occur within days, though the source indicated that the timeline may be longer. Public health experts are concerned that such a move could undermine decades of progress in preventing new HIV infections. Jesse Milan, CEO of AIDS United, a nonprofit focused on HIV advocacy, described the potential elimination of the CDC's HIV division as 'devastating.'

In 2022, the United States recorded an estimated 31,800 new HIV infections, based on government data. The country has seen significant progress in reducing the number of new HIV infections, particularly among individuals aged 13-24. Experts are worried that this progress might be reversed if the CDC ceases its support for preventative initiatives.

The administration is also reportedly contemplating a reduction of up to $700 million from the CDC's HIV prevention funding, although no final decision has been made, according to the source. Andrew Nixon, a department spokesperson, stated in an emailed response that no final decision on streamlining the CDC's HIV Prevention Division has been made.

"HHS is following the Administration's guidance and taking a careful look at all divisions to see where there is overlap that could be streamlined to support the President's broader efforts to restructure the federal government," Nixon said. "This is to ensure that HHS better serves the American people at the highest and most efficient standard."

Since taking office, the Trump administration has initiated a number of controversial health policies, including reducing recommendations for universal vaccination and cutting funding for disease prevention abroad. These actions could potentially lead to outbreaks of communicable diseases that may cross borders into the United States. Cutting funding from USAID programs has led to the cessation of drug trials on HIV prevention, which poses a risk of developing drug-resistant strains of the virus, public health advocates have warned.