According to a recent report by UNAIDS, nearly 40 million individuals were living with HIV last year, with over 9 million not receiving any treatment. The report highlighted the alarming statistic that someone died of AIDS-related causes every minute. While progress has been made in combatting the global AIDS pandemic, the report indicated a slowdown in progress, reduced funding, and a rise in new infections in certain regions.
In 2023, approximately 630,000 people succumbed to AIDS-related illnesses, a significant decrease from 2.1 million deaths in 2004. However, this figure surpasses the 2025 target of fewer than 250,000 deaths. Gender inequality was identified as a contributing factor, particularly in parts of Africa where HIV incidence among adolescents and young women remains high.
The report also noted an increase in new infections among marginalized communities facing stigma and discrimination, such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs. UNAIDS emphasized the importance of upholding human rights and providing adequate resources to combat the pandemic.
Despite efforts to reduce annual new HIV infections to below 370,000 by 2025, the report revealed that in 2023, new infections exceeded 1.3 million. Of the 39.9 million individuals globally living with HIV, 86% were aware of their status, 77% had access to treatment, and 72% had suppressed the virus.
Advancements in HIV treatments, including long-lasting injections, have shown promise. However, the high cost of these treatments poses a barrier to accessibility for many individuals. UNAIDS has been advocating for lower-cost options for low and middle-income countries to ensure broader access to treatment.
Notably, there have been cases where individuals with HIV treated for leukemia showed no detectable HIV virus afterward. These developments, along with discussions on new treatments, are being addressed at the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich.
Currently, daily HIV treatment with pills costs around $75 per person per year, enabling more individuals to receive necessary care. UNAIDS continues to push for the development of an AIDS vaccine to prevent new infections and further combat the spread of the virus.
