The world risks a resurgence of the HIV epidemic after international financing to combat the infectious disease suffered a “profound shock” last year, according to a new report from UNAIDS, the United Nations agency.

Overall, government funding declined by more than $1.5 billion to $7.3 billion in 2025 — an 18% decline and the lowest level in nearly two decades. Prevention programs, in particular, have historically relied heavily on donor assistance in most regions, with especially high dependency in sub-Saharan Africa, where it reached 83% two years ago.

Other factors contributing to the worrisome outlook are high debt burdens in countries most affected by the disease and backsliding on human rights and gender equality, the report noted.