HIV/AIDS: A Global Epidemic
The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a global health challenge of unprecedented dimensions and a monumental threat to development progress.
Exacting a High Price in Developing Countries
There are 38Ìýmillion people living with HIV/AIDS around the world, the vast majority in developing countries and more than halfÌýare women.1
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to disproportionately bear the global HIV/AIDS burden. Over 58%Ìýof all new adult HIV infectionsÌýand two-thirds of AIDS-related deaths among adults occur in the region.1
Preventing the Spread of HIV/AIDS
The global response to the epidemic continues to be challenged by new infections, even with scale-up of antiretroviral treatmentÌýin low- and middle-income countries. According to UNAIDS, 3.5 million more infections occurred between 2015 and 2020 than if UNAIDS targets had been met.2
Women also continue to be disproportionately affected. Every day, more than 1,800 women acquire HIV worldwide,1 and 63% of all new HIV infections in sub-Saharan AfricaÌýare among women and girls.3
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Notes
1ÌýUNAIDS, JulyÌý2021ÌýCore Epidemiology Slides, 2021
2ÌýUNAIDS. With the right investment, AIDS can be over — A US$ 29 billion investment to end AIDS by the end of the decade. 2021.
3ÌýUNAIDS, "Fact sheet 2021", 2021.
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