The number of new infections from the virus causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) globally reduced by 22% (1.65 million) between 2010 and 2021, according to the medical journal The Lancet.
During the same period, deaths—primarily resulting from opportunistic diseases that occur in the final stage of infection after AIDS develops—declined by about 40% (718,000).
These reductions are largely attributed to progress in sub-Saharan Africa, although increases have been recorded in Europe and Central Asia. While experts recognize the significant progress achieved, they warn that the epidemic remains far from being eradicated by 2030, the target set by the United Nations.
There is consensus, however, that prevention and treatments, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), are becoming increasingly crucial in the fight against the epidemic.
Prevention and treatments have reduced the impact of the epidemic but have not yet overcome it, which has claimed over 40 million lives since 1980, according to the report.
People already infected now have access to more effective and convenient treatments, especially as they require less frequent administration.
However, the availability of both preventive and therapeutic treatments is limited by several factors, particularly in poorer countries like those in Africa, where the cost of medication remains a significant barrier.
For example, Gilead’s new drug, lenacapavir, offers promising efficacy for both prevention and treatment but is prohibitively expensive at $40,000 per person annually.
