On World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls for urgent and united action to expand access to newly approved HIV prevention tools, most notably the twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir (LEN), to address rising vulnerabilities and disruptions in essential health services caused by major cuts to foreign aid. The introduction and WHO approval of LEN in 2025 represent a pivotal moment in the global HIV response. As a long-acting, highly effective pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option, LEN offers a vital alternative for individuals who struggle with daily oral medication, face stigma, or have limited access to health facilities.
WHO’s updated guidelines now recommend lenacapavir as an additional PrEP choice, strengthening efforts to reduce infections and expand prevention coverage. These advances arrive amid significant challenges. Sharp declines in international funding have…
