The UN believes it is still possible to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, but only if we give those on the front lines the resources and recognition.
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The initiatives of various communities closest to the fight are often unrecognized, lack resources and are sometimes even attacked, regrets UNAIDS in its annual report released on Tuesday on the occasion of World AIDS Day, which falls on January 1. December was published.
“Communities around the world have shown that they are ready, willing and able to lead the way. However, they must ensure that the obstacles that hinder their work are removed and have adequate resources,” said UNAIDS Director Winnie Byanyima.
“Too often, communities are treated by decision-makers as problems to be addressed, rather than being recognized as leaders and receiving support in that capacity,” Ms. Byanyima stressed, emphasizing that “communities are not a barrier, but rather the opening path to ending.” AIDS.”
In 2015, the United Nations set the goal of ending the public health threat posed by AIDS by 2030 for the first time.
39 million people worldwide live with HIV – the virus that causes AIDS.
Of these, 20.8 million live in eastern and southern Africa and 6.5 million in Asia and the Pacific.
But of those 39 million, 9.2 million do not have access to life-saving treatments that have nevertheless been proven to be effective.
Lack of support
“Harmful laws and policies affecting people at risk for HIV – including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people and people who use drugs – endanger communities” that help the sick or prevent infections want, emphasizes the document.
But according to the UN agency, we can only win the fight against the pandemic if we support these communities who are on the front lines.
In 2022, around $20.8 billion was available for HIV programs in low- and middle-income countries, far less than the $29.3 billion needed by 2025.
Annual treatment costs have fallen from $25,000 per person in 1995 to less than $70 in many of today’s countries most affected by HIV.
The report shows that funds channeled through these communities fell from 31% in 2012 to 20% in 2021.
The oppression of marginalized groups prevents the provision of HIV prevention and treatment services, while the underfunding of these communities makes their functioning less secure and slows its spread.
New infections
There were 1.3 million new HIV infections worldwide last year, down from a peak of 3.2 million in 1995.
In 2022, 86% of people living with HIV were informed of their HIV status, which is critical to stopping transmission, 76% sought treatment, and 71% had a viral load low enough to meet the definition of to meet HIV. Viral suppression.
According to UNAIDS, 53% of all HIV-positive people were women and girls.
Although the disease is less devastating today, 630,000 people will still die from AIDS-related illnesses in 2022.
Since the pandemic began in the late 1970s, 85.6 million people have been infected with HIV and 40.4 million have died.