December 1st marks the annual observance of Global HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day set aside to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, show support to those living with the virus and honor those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses all over the world. This observance provides an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, review progress, and recommit to ending the epidemic.

This article examines the state of HIV/AIDS epidemic globally, the progress made in the fight against the disease and the challenges that remain.

Global HIV/AIDS Statistics

Since the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in 1981, the disease has killed approximately 35 million people worldwide, with over 70 million people infected with the virus globally.

In 2018, an estimated 38 million people were living with HIV/AIDS, and approximately 1.7 million people were newly infected with the virus.

The statistics are more alarming in certain regions of the world. Africa remains the most affected region, with around 25.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS, representing two-thirds of the global total.

In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 1 in 20 adults is living with the virus. The Asia and Pacific region also accounts for a significant proportion of HIV infections, with 5 million people living with the virus.

Prevention Strategies

Prevention remains the most effective strategy in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The use of condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), voluntary medical male circumcision, and HIV testing and counseling are among the prevention strategies that help to protect individuals from contracting the virus. Several HIV vaccines are also in the clinical trial phase, giving hope for a preventive vaccine to be developed soon. However, these strategies have not reached everyone, and some populations have disproportionate access to these interventions.

Treatment and Care

The management of HIV infection has improved significantly since the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the 1990s.

ART involves using a combination of three or more antiretroviral drugs to suppress the virus’s growth, and has transformed the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The treatment helps people living with the virus to live long, healthy lives and has significantly reduced the transmission of the virus.

However, not everyone living with HIV has access to ART, and treatment adherence remains a challenge in several low- and middle-income countries. In 2018, only 62% of people living with HIV were accessing ART globally.

A significant gap exists in accessing treatment among key populations such as men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender people, and prisoners.

Challenges in the Fight against HIV/AIDS

The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to pose significant challenges globally, even with significant progress.

Access to prevention, treatment, and care is still inadequate, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, leading to uneven progress across regions. Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS remain a significant challenge that impedes access to prevention, treatment, and care globally.

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns have also significantly disrupted HIV care and prevention services globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

The pandemic has created disruptions in the supply chain of HIV medicines, resulting in shortages in some countries, while some individuals have missed essential HIV treatment services due to restrictions on movement. This disruption is set to have long-term negative effects on the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Conclusion: Global HIV/AIDS Day 2019

Global HIV/AIDS Awareness Day reminds us that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is not over, and much progress still needs to be made to reach the UNAIDS goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

The fight against HIV/AIDS requires a concerted effort from all countries and stakeholders to ensure that everyone, regardless of their demographic, has access to prevention, treatment, and care. It also requires the elimination of stigma and discrimination, continued innovative research towards finding an HIV vaccine, and a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize disruptions in HIV care and prevention services.