New book dissects Trump’s healthcare cuts and their fallout for LGBTQ+ lives

‘Aftershocks’ offers a critical lens on healthcare policy shifts impacting HIV response and LGBTQ+ health.

Told by Claire Lawson · 30 August 2026

In a timely and critical examination of policy shifts, Dr. José M. Zuniga's 'Aftershocks: Trump 2.0, Public Health, and Our Better Angels' delves into the consequences of the Trump administration's attacks on healthcare for LGBTQ+ communities, particularly in relation to HIV response.

Zuniga, an esteemed public health leader with over thirty years of experience, chronicles how the first year of Trump's second term saw significant budget cuts and policy reversals that put decades of healthcare progress at risk. He emphasizes the paralysis experienced by public health advocates, caught off guard by the opposition's strategic chaos during the 2024 elections.

The book not only reflects on the immediate impacts of these changes but also advocates for a proactive approach through its proposed 'Horizons 2028' plan. This initiative aims to strengthen public health systems against political volatility, ensuring that equity and community-led accountability remain at the forefront of health governance.

Zuniga's work emerges as a crucial reminder that public health is not merely a policy issue but a matter of life and death for communities long marginalized. His insights challenge readers to consider how to build a more resilient public health framework, one that resists ideological capture and prioritizes dignity and justice for all individuals, regardless of their background.