Remarkable progress has been made against the HIV epidemic in the last two decades. However, a loss of momentum in fighting HIV across the globe threatens to undermine the strides that have been made. There is a crisis in sustainability as the urgency surrounding funding for the HIV response dwindles.
This despite the disease claiming a life every minute in 2022 . An estimated 39.9 million people globally were living with HIV in 2023 .
Of these, 9.2 million did not have access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment and 630,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses. These are not merely statistics.
Each life lost to HIV is a life too many. Sub-Saharan Africa, home to 65% of the people living with HIV globally, has been the hardest hit by the HIV epidemic. Global social solidarity has enabled a response.
Between 2001 and 2023, African countries expanded access to lifesaving antiretroviral therapy, reduced AIDS-related deaths and witnessed significant declines in annual new HIV infections, particularly in eastern and southern Africa ( 59% reduction ) and west and central Africa ( 46% reduction ). We have been public health policymakers and practitioners for decades. We write here under the auspices of the Africa HIV Control Working Group , an institution that seeks sustainable ways of eliminating HIV as a public health concern in Africa.
We look at what has been achieved so far and ways to make sure the fight against HIV does not lose momentum. What progress has Africa made? Politica.