BTN News: Last year, nearly 40 million people were living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Sadly, over 9 million of these people were not getting any treatment. This led to one person dying every minute from AIDS-related causes, according to a new report from the United Nations released on Monday.
Despite making big steps towards ending the global AIDS pandemic, the report showed a worrying loss of progress. Funding is going down, and new infections are rising in several regions. These regions include the Middle East and North Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Latin America.
In 2023, around 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. While this is a big drop from the 2.1 million deaths in 2004, it is still more than double the 2025 target of fewer than 250,000 deaths. These numbers were reported by UNAIDS, the agency leading the global fight against the pandemic.
The report also showed that gender inequality makes the risk worse for girls and women. It noted a very high number of HIV cases among teenage girls and young women in parts of Africa. Additionally, marginalized groups facing stigma and discrimination, such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs, made up 55% of new infections in 2023. This is up from 45% in 2010.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima stressed the urgent need for world leaders to stay committed. “Global leaders promised to end the AIDS pandemic as a public health threat by 2030, and they can keep this promise. However, it requires ensuring the HIV response is well funded and that human rights are protected worldwide,” she said.
Part of this promise includes cutting new infections to fewer than 370,000 a year by 2025. But the report noted that new infections in 2023 were three times this target, totaling 1.3 million.
In 2023, 86% of the 39.9 million people living with HIV knew their status, 77% were getting treatment, and 72% had the virus suppressed, making it undetectable. Despite progress in HIV treatment, including injectable drugs that stay effective for six months, the high cost—$40,000 yearly for two doses—limits access to only the wealthiest people with the virus, explained César Núñez, director of UNAIDS’ New York office.
UNAIDS has asked the drug maker to lower the cost for low- and middle-income countries. Núñez also pointed out seven cases where people with HIV treated for leukemia showed no signs of the virus in their system. These breakthroughs, along with the injectable treatments, will be discussed at the 25th International AIDS Conference, which began on Monday in Munich.
At present, daily pills cost around $75 per person each year, allowing many countries to expand treatment for people living with HIV. Núñez stressed that UNAIDS continues to call for a vaccine to prevent AIDS, highlighting the ongoing need for new solutions and affordable access in the fight against the virus.
The advances in treatments and the hopeful signs of possible cures point to a brighter future. But it is clear that sustained effort and funding are crucial to ending the AIDS pandemic by 2030. The commitment to human rights, addressing gender inequalities, and supporting marginalized groups remain key parts of this global health challenge.
