Geneva, 13 July 2023—A newly published report by UNAIDS unveils a viable route to ending the AIDS epidemic while also enhancing preparedness for future pandemics and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The report titled 'The Path that Ends AIDS' underscores that halting AIDS is a decision achievable through political commitment and funding. Notably, nations like Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zimbabwe have already achieved the crucial "95-95-95" targets, with 16 other countries, eight of them in sub-Saharan Africa, closely following suit. That means 95% of the people who are living with HIV knowing their HIV status, 95% of the people who know that they are living with HIV being on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of people who are on treatment being virally suppressed.
Strong political leadership is the linchpin of effective HIV responses, as emphasized in the report. This involves grounding strategies in data, science, and evidence, addressing inequalities, empowering communities and civil society organizations, and ensuring sustainable funding.
Regions with substantial financial investments, particularly eastern and southern Africa, have witnessed remarkable progress, with new HIV infections reduced by 57% since 2010.
Support and investment in ending AIDS among children have led to significant gains, enabling 82% of pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV to access antiretroviral treatment in 2022, contributing to a 58% reduction in new HIV infections among children from 2010 to 2022.
Progress has been reinforced by legal and policy reforms that uphold human rights. Notably, several countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, the Cook Islands, Barbados, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Singapore, decriminalized same-sex sexual relations in 2022 and 2023.
Antiretroviral treatment has expanded dramatically worldwide, surging from 7.7 million in 2010 to 29.8 million in 2022.
While the report underscores significant achievements, it emphasizes that ending AIDS requires continued commitment. With AIDS still claiming a life every minute in 2022 and around 9.2 million people missing out on treatment, sustained efforts remain crucial.
This UNAIDS report brings hope and direction to the global fight against AIDS. The achievements showcased reflect a collective determination to overcome this devastating health crisis. By focusing on political leadership, evidence-based strategies, and inclusive policies, humanity takes a triumphant step towards a world free from the burden of AIDS.
Source: The path that ends AIDS: UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2023. Geneva: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS; 2023. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO [Accessed: 14 July 2023]
Edited by Akarsh Jaykumar
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