Progress in the fight against AIDS has been hampered by global crises

The Covid-19 pandemic, in particular by disrupting access to treatment and prevention services, has slowed the progress made in the fight against AIDS, UNAIDS warned in its annual report on Wednesday.

“Over the past two years, the multiple and simultaneous crises that have shaken the world have had a devastating impact on people infected with HIV, and have set back the global response to the AIDS pandemic,” warns this report published on the occasion of the opening of the International Conference on AIDS, which takes place in Montreal, Canada.

Small improvements in 2021

While global HIV infections continued to decline last year (by 3.6% compared to 2020), it was the smallest decline since 2016.

Approximately 1.5 million new HIV infections would be deplorable in 2021, or more than 4,000 people per day. And 650,000 people died of AIDS last year, or one death every minute.

The number of HIV-positive people accessing treatment also continued to rise in 2021, but by only 1.47 million, compared to the previous 2 million years. This is the smallest increase since 2009.

800,000 HIV-positive children do not receive treatment

The most fragile populations, especially the poorest, are the most affected, says the report. People who inject drugs, sex workers, and gay men remain the populations most at risk.

The report also notes that the gap in access to treatment between children and adults is widening, rather than closing. In 2021, while 70% of adults living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral treatment, this was the case for only 41% of children. That’s about 800,000 HIV-positive children who are not receiving treatment. Children accounted for 4% of the population living with HIV in 2021, but no less than 15% of HIV-related deaths.

“A Call to Action”

Additional funds must be committed today to achieve the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030, argues UNAIDS. In 2021, international resources available to fight HIV were 6% less generous than in 2010.

“Leaders should not take this huge red alert as a stop sign,” writes UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. “This report is not an admission of failure. It is a call to action.”