The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that despite a decline in the number of cases in 2024, about 1.3 million people will have contracted AIDS.
Worldwide, an estimated 40.8 million people are living with AIDS. WHO has released a new report to mark World AIDS Day, which is celebrated on 1 December, with the theme “Overcome barriers, transform the fight against AIDS.”
The report highlights the importance of investing in new AIDS prevention tools and services and calls on governments and their partners to quickly expand access to new WHO-endorsed tools to reduce infections and address barriers to basic health care caused by cuts in external aid. The report notes that despite significant funding cuts to the global fight against AIDS, significant progress will be made in 2025 with the marketing and WHO approval of a drug called lenacapavir, which can be given twice a year.
The report says: “A highly effective and long-lasting alternative to the pill and other options, lenacapavir is a revolutionary treatment for people who have difficulty maintaining regular treatment regimens and face stigma in accessing health care.” “
An estimated 40.8 million people worldwide are living with HIV.
The report, which notes that after decades of progress, the fight against HIV is at a turning point, found that although AIDS incidence fell in 2024 due to prevention efforts, 1.3 million people became infected with AIDS.
The report provides the following information: “(In 2024), worldwide, approximately 40.8 million people are living with HIV, and 630,000 people have died from AIDS-related causes.”
The report emphasizes that ending the AIDS epidemic depends on a fully integrated, evidence-based and human rights-based approach within essential health services, and notes that WHO will continue to work with partners and leaders to put those most affected at the center of the AIDS response.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose opinion is quoted in the report, noted that they face serious challenges in the fight against AIDS, such as cuts in international funding and disruption of prevention efforts.
“We have important opportunities with the emergence of exciting new tools that can change the course of the AIDS epidemic. Expanding access to these tools for all people at risk of contracting AIDS must be a top priority for all governments and partners,” the CEO said.