Origins and Early Spread
The AIDS epidemic began in the early 1980s when clusters of rare diseases, such as Kaposi's sarcoma and Pneumocystis pneumonia, were identified among gay men in the United States. These cases were later linked to a new virus, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks the immune system, leading to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Global Impact
Since the start of the epidemic, approximately 91.4 million people have been infected with HIV, and about 44.1 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses. In 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV worldwide, with 1.3 million new infections and 630,000 AIDS-related deaths reported that year. The WHO African Region remains the most severely affected, with nearly 3.1% of adults living with HIV, accounting for more than two-thirds of the global HIV population. Source Name
Transmission and Risk Factors
HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, sharing of contaminated needles, transfusion of infected blood products, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. Certain populations are disproportionately affected, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, transgender individuals, and people in prisons. In 2024, women and girls accounted for 53% of all people living with HIV globally. Source Name
Prevention and Treatment
Efforts to combat the epidemic have focused on prevention strategies such as promoting condom use, needle exchange programs, and education campaigns. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been instrumental in reducing AIDS-related mortality and improving the quality of life for those infected. By the end of 2024, 31.6 million people were accessing ART, representing 77% of all people living with HIV. Source Name
Challenges and Progress
Despite significant progress, challenges remain. Stigma and discrimination continue to hinder access to testing and treatment. Additionally, funding cuts, such as the withdrawal of $4 billion in U.S. funding for global HIV programs, have threatened to reverse gains, potentially leading to over 4 million AIDS-related deaths and 6 million new infections by 2029. Source Name
Future Outlook
The global community has committed to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Achieving this goal requires sustained political will, increased funding, and the implementation of evidence-based interventions tailored to the needs of affected populations. Continued research into vaccines and cure strategies remains a priority in the fight against HIV/AIDS.