A new report from UNAIDS indicates that the world is at a critical juncture in determining whether leaders will meet their commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The report, titled 'The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads,' reveals that if bold actions are taken now, the number of people living with HIV requiring life-long treatment will settle at around 29 million by 2050. However, if not, it could rise to 46 million. The report emphasizes that HIV prevention and treatment services will only reach people if human rights are upheld, unfair laws against women and marginalized communities are scrapped, and discrimination is tackled.
According to the report, one person dies from AIDS-related causes every minute. While medicine has made significant progress in treating HIV, one in four infected individuals still lacks access to treatment. The UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, stated that leaders can save millions of lives and prevent millions of new HIV infections by ensuring that the HIV response has the necessary resources and protecting human rights.
The report highlights three regions where the number of new HIV infections is rising: Middle East and North Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Latin America. Dr. Anthony Fauci, former scientific advisor to the US President, emphasized that failure is not an option in ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
The HIV epidemic is fueled by racial, gender, class, and sexual discrimination at both community and systemic levels. Ensuring equitable access to quality care for all people affected by HIV is a priority in the HIV community. Person-centered innovations are crucial in addressing each person's unique day-to-day treatment needs and preferences.
The report, 'Going the extra mile to end the HIV epidemic,' emphasizes that going beyond a biomedical approach and fully integrating social determinants of health is essential to helping end the HIV epidemic. Innovation and partnerships are crucial in developing person-centered innovations in HIV care, such as dosing options, single-tablet regimens, combination medications, and administration options.
