On December 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes World AIDS Day, highlighting the theme ‘Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.’ The initiative calls for sustained political leadership, international collaboration, and human rights-centered strategies to eliminate AIDS by 2030.
Despite significant advancements, the global HIV response is currently at a critical juncture. Essential life-saving services are facing disruptions, placing numerous communities at increased risk and vulnerability.
HIV continues to be a pressing public health concern, having resulted in an estimated 44.1 million deaths globally. As of the end of 2024, approximately 40.8 million individuals were living with HIV. In that year, around 630,000 people died from HIV-related complications, and an estimated 1.3 million individuals were newly infected with the virus. While there is currently no cure for HIV, effective prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care—including for opportunistic infections—have transformed HIV into a manageable chronic health condition. This allows those living with HIV to lead fulfilling and healthy lives. The WHO, the Global Fund, and UNAIDS have established global strategies to eradicate the HIV epidemic by 2030.
