Additional Context: According to the Clinton Health Access Initiative, declines in the number of children on ART are likely linked to major reductions in community health workers who follow up with children who miss appointments or disengage from care. In addition, cuts to adolescent psychosocial support services, including peer and mental health support, have made it harder for young people facing changing social and emotional circumstances to remain consistently engaged in treatment and care.

Devex Researcher Note: The U.S. had been one of the major supporters of community and last-mile outreach services, with aid cuts causing layoffs and center closures across dozens of countries. Psychosocial and peer support had been largely delivered through the U.S.-funded DREAMS program with consequences reported in monitoring and care engagement.

Source: CHAI