Fighting AIDS: Progress and setbacks in a global context

Fighting AIDS: Progress and setbacks in a global context

Growing challenges in the fight against AIDS

The global fight against the immunodeficiency disease AIDS faces significant challenges. Despite advances in medical treatment that mean longer life expectancy for many affected, the latest figures show that infection rates are stagnating or even increasing in certain regions. This critical point is made clear in the latest report by the UN organization Unaids, which has particular importance for health policy worldwide.

Regional differences and alarming statistics

Compared to 2010, average life expectancy in southern Africa increased from 56 to 61 years between 2010 and 2023. This number illustrates the positive effects of treatment programs in many countries. However, an alarming picture emerges in other regions. New infections have doubled in the Middle East and North Africa. Latin America saw a nine percent increase, while Eastern Europe and Central Asia saw a 20 percent increase. What is particularly worrying is that more than 90 percent of new HIV cases in Eastern Europe come from just four countries - Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The loss of political will

Peter Sands, director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, draws attention to the rising infection rates: “The rate of new infections remains alarmingly high.” Another cause for concern is the declining financial and political support for HIV programs, which are essential to the continued success of the fight against AIDS. Unaids director Winnie Byanyima highlights that solidarity between and within countries is crumbling and funding gaps are widening.

The global objective and intermediate goals

The international community has set ambitious goals to end the HIV outbreak. By 2030, infections worldwide are expected to fall by 90 percent. However, the current decline is only around 40 percent. Further ambitious interim targets have been announced for 2025, which state that 95 percent of those infected should be diagnosed and treated. In 2023, the record was 86-89-93, indicating progress but also significant challenges.

Stigma as an obstacle

Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO European Region, emphasizes that the biggest hurdle in the fight against AIDS lies not in medical aspects, but in the stigmatization and discrimination of those affected. These social barriers prevent many people from getting tested and treated. Unfortunately, there are still many barriers that make access to life-saving treatments difficult.

World AIDS Conference in Munich: A place for dialogue

The World AIDS Conference in Munich, which begins on Monday, could be a crucial step in improving conditions for people living with HIV. With up to 15,000 participants expected, this conference will provide a forum to discuss effective strategies to combat AIDS and highlight the challenges that still need to be overcome.

The developments show that, despite advancing medical innovations, sustained political and social support is essential to ensure the fight against AIDS is successful.