Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsA Global Take on HIVHIV Facts: ContinentsDisparities and Risk FactorsAccess to TreatmentInternational OrganizationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
A Global Take on HIV
HIV Facts: Continents
Disparities and Risk Factors
Access to Treatment
International Organizations
Frequently Asked Questions
This article is part ofHealth Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series.
Since the start of theHIV (human immunodeficiency virus)epidemic back in 1981, an estimated 75.7 million people have been diagnosed with HIV worldwide, and 32.7 million people have died of AIDS-related illnesses.
HIV disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries. Of the 4,500 people who contract HIV every day in the world, 59% live in sub-Saharan Africa.
Verywell / Mayya Agapova
The factors that drive the HIV epidemic are becoming increasingly understood. This has refined the worldwide HIV response, allowing officials to identify gaps and develop strategies to reach people who are being left behind.
This article will look at the state of HIV/AIDS around the world.
Progress in global prevention of HIV remains far too slow. Despite advances in HIV research, HIV continues to be a major public health issue around the world.
Worldwide Rates and Yearly Shifts
Recent data have shown that about 1.3 million people acquired HIV diagnoses in 2022.This highlights the need for continued and sustained efforts.
In 2022, 39 million people globally were living with HIV, Of those, 1.5 million were children aged 14 or younger.
Even more, HIV awareness, testing, and prompt diagnoses continue to lag, especially in low socioeconomic areas of the world. Only 84% of all people living with HIV knew their HIV status in 2020. This means that 16% or 6.1 million people did not know that they were living with HIV.
RecapRates of HIV diagnoses and deaths have consistently fallen over the past decade worldwide. But an average of 5,000 people a day continue to test positive for HIV worldwide, despite widespread prevention efforts
Recap
Rates of HIV diagnoses and deaths have consistently fallen over the past decade worldwide. But an average of 5,000 people a day continue to test positive for HIV worldwide, despite widespread prevention efforts
Where We Are Now
The latest data from countries around the world show both progress and challenges. On one hand, the disease burden of HIV is decreasing. More people are getting diagnosed and treated than ever before, and HIV has turned from an acutely fatal condition to a chronic one that many people are now able to live long, fulfilling lives with.
The COVID-19 pandemic further derailed prevention efforts: Lockdowns caused service disruptions of prevention programs and economic uncertainty deepened many of the systemic inequalities (such as poverty and limited access to medical care) that drive the HIV epidemic.
Geographic Breakdown
Population Breakdown
In 2020, sex workers and their clients, gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and those who identify as transgender, and their sexual partners account for 65% of HIV cases around the world. Studies show the criminalization of sex work and drugs, transphobia, homophobia, and HIV stigma contribute to the spiked rates.
The risk of acquiring HIV is:
It is important to note HIV rates among the trans community at large remain poorly understood due to historical exclusion from HIV research. Few HIV studies are inclusive of trans men, transmasculine people, and non-binary people even though they test positive at higher rates than the general population
Global Disparities and HIV Risk Factors
Though HIV is often associated with men who have sex with other men, the majority of HIV cases around the world are transmitted between cisgender men and women.
Differences in the socioeconomic determinants of health, such as poverty, contribute greatly to global disparities. This underscores the importance of designing policies that address financial and other barriers and securing treatment access for the poor and marginalized while supporting essential health services.
Along with the socioeconomic issues that put people at higher risk of contracting HIV, the following behaviors can put individuals at greater risk of contracting HIV:
Global HIV disparities emerge from a complex combination of factors such as structural racism and poverty, small sexual networks, and inequalities in access to medical care.
Too often, the focus of research and outreach is based on lessening risky sexual practices and drug use alone. But it is clear that differences in living conditions among vulnerable populations are also a major contributor to these disparities.
Interventions aimed at groups disproportionately impacted have helped, but interventions targeting social inequalities continue to lag.
RecapThere are many reasons HIV rates are higher in some countries than others, but socioeconomic inequality is the main factor. To adequately address HIV in low-income countries, social inequalities need to be addressed.
There are many reasons HIV rates are higher in some countries than others, but socioeconomic inequality is the main factor. To adequately address HIV in low-income countries, social inequalities need to be addressed.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
HIV weakens the immune system, which may leave people living with HIV more susceptible to severe illness if they develop COVID-19. Because of this, public health officials recommend all people with HIV get vaccinated against COVID-19.Vaccines jump-start the immune system and protect people from developing severe illness that can result in hospitalization or death.
Antiviral HIV medicationshelp strengthen the immune system of people living with HIV, so it’s important for those with HIV to take their meds regularly. This reduces the risk of COVID-19 complications and may improve how well the COVID-19 vaccine works.
People who take medications that weaken their immune system and those who do not take their antiviral medications regularly may not be sufficiently protected from COVID-19, even if they are fully vaccinated.
It is, therefore, very important for this group to take precautions including handwashing and avoiding contact with those who are sick with respiratory symptoms.
The initial COVID-19 response has been eerily similar to the initial response to HIV. The initial response to both HIV and COVID-19 underestimated the risk to the general population and focused instead on the specific populations in which infections first emerged.
As time went on, it became clear that both viruses disproportionately impact vulnerable populations such as low socioeconomic status groups that are largely made up of members of Black andLatinx communities.
As such, the impact of both HIV and COVID-19 on Black and Latinx communities in the United States is similar to their impact on racial and ethnic minorities around the world.
RecapPeople with HIV are at higher risk of getting severe COVID-19. It’s important that people living with HIV keep up with their antiretroviral medications, get their COVID-19 vaccine, and follow COVID-19 safety protocols to protect their health.
People with HIV are at higher risk of getting severe COVID-19. It’s important that people living with HIV keep up with their antiretroviral medications, get their COVID-19 vaccine, and follow COVID-19 safety protocols to protect their health.
COVID-19 and Pre-Existing Conditions: Understanding Your Risk
Ensuring Equal Access to Treatment
A number of challenges contribute to the global HIV disparities and unequal access to testing and treatment, including:
The number of people who need antiretroviral therapy (ART) is much greater than the resources that are available to help them in many countries. Therefore, additional investments are needed to properly identify and prioritize those who need critical lifesaving treatment.
Public health organizations around the world are encouraged to establish policies that clearly and objectively identify and prioritize groups disproportionately impacted when making healthcare decisions. Policies should ensure access for women and the most vulnerable, poor, and marginalized populations.
Recent advances in treatment technologies mean that ART can be provided successfully in settings in which basic health services are weak. However, decision-makers in each country need to carefully design policies that address financial and other barriers and give access to the poor and marginalized while supporting essential health services.
These efforts on the community, national, and federal levels must be coordinated so that the cost of care is offset for underserved populations.
RecapAntiretroviral therapy (ART) prevents the HIV virus from replicating. This suppresses the virus in those infected, extending their lifespan and helping to prevent transmission. However, supplies are extremely limited and underutilized in poor countries, especially for the people who need them most. Additional investment is needed to get ART to every person living with HIV worldwide.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) prevents the HIV virus from replicating. This suppresses the virus in those infected, extending their lifespan and helping to prevent transmission. However, supplies are extremely limited and underutilized in poor countries, especially for the people who need them most. Additional investment is needed to get ART to every person living with HIV worldwide.
International HIV/AIDs Organizations
Despite global efforts to turn back the tide of HIV, the world is behind in making the inroads needed to end the epidemic. Working together and coordinating efforts can help to advance HIV research and offer outreach and education to prevent the further spread of HIV.
The following international HIV/AIDS organizations are leading the charge on global prevention, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment in hopes of eliminating HIV:
U.S. Outreach
The United States has been a major contributor to funding the global HIV response. The country has spent billions of dollars in global outreach since the start of the HIV epidemic, despite having its own significant issues to address.
This legislation launched the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has invested $85 billion dollars in global preventative efforts. Since PEPFAR was established in 2003, this initiative has saved over 20 million lives, supported antiretroviral treatment for 18.2 million people, and provided critical care for 6.7 million orphans and vulnerable children.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
This goal is in sight if coordinated and sustained global health efforts continue. Placing a greater emphasis on societal aspects and social services to address the inequalities of HIV is central to meeting these goals.
While the exact number of those who are undiagnosed is unknown, recent data estimate that 1 in 5 people with HIV (19%) are still unaware they are infected.
Poverty, stigma, lack of education, and lack of access to care are the main reasons there are higher rates in certain countries. Global HIV disparities are largely due to a complex interplay of social factors such as structural racism and poverty, small sexual networks and unequal access to medical care.The nations that have seen a decrease in HIV rates are those that have the resources for education, prevention, and increases in access to antiretroviral treatment, as well as structural interventions aimed at addressing poverty, housing concerns, and food insecurity.
Poverty, stigma, lack of education, and lack of access to care are the main reasons there are higher rates in certain countries. Global HIV disparities are largely due to a complex interplay of social factors such as structural racism and poverty, small sexual networks and unequal access to medical care.
The nations that have seen a decrease in HIV rates are those that have the resources for education, prevention, and increases in access to antiretroviral treatment, as well as structural interventions aimed at addressing poverty, housing concerns, and food insecurity.
The United Nations, the World Health Organization, the U.S. government, and a number of international organizations and governments have contributed funds toward research that will one day lead to the global eradication of HIV. In fact, since 2002, donor governments alone have contributed $111.4 billion towards HIV-related causes, including research.
The number of people who develop AIDS from HIV is unknown, largely due to high numbers of people who have HIV but do not know their status. Still, the number today is much lower than it has been in the past, given that 59% of people living with HIV experience viral suppression due to ART.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UN AIDS.2020 global AIDS update—seizing the moment.UN AIDS.UN AIDS data.World Health Organization.HIV data and statistics.Ojikutu BO, Mayer K.HIV prevention among black women in the US-time for multimodal integrated strategies.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(4):e215356. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.5356Kaiser Family Foundation.The global HIV/AIDS epidemic.UN AIDS.Global AIDS monitoring.Challacombe SJ.Global oral inequalities in HIV infection.Oral Dis. 2016;22 Suppl 1:35-41. doi:10.1111/odi.12408World Health Organization.HIV/AIDS.World Health Organization.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): HIV and retrovirals.Fields EL, Copeland R, Hopkins E.Same script, different viruses: HIV and COVID-19 in US Black communities.Lancet. 2021;397(10279):1040-1042. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32522-8HIV.gov.PERFAR.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UN AIDS.2020 global AIDS update—seizing the moment.UN AIDS.UN AIDS data.World Health Organization.HIV data and statistics.Ojikutu BO, Mayer K.HIV prevention among black women in the US-time for multimodal integrated strategies.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(4):e215356. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.5356Kaiser Family Foundation.The global HIV/AIDS epidemic.UN AIDS.Global AIDS monitoring.Challacombe SJ.Global oral inequalities in HIV infection.Oral Dis. 2016;22 Suppl 1:35-41. doi:10.1111/odi.12408World Health Organization.HIV/AIDS.World Health Organization.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): HIV and retrovirals.Fields EL, Copeland R, Hopkins E.Same script, different viruses: HIV and COVID-19 in US Black communities.Lancet. 2021;397(10279):1040-1042. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32522-8HIV.gov.PERFAR.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
UN AIDS.2020 global AIDS update—seizing the moment.UN AIDS.UN AIDS data.World Health Organization.HIV data and statistics.Ojikutu BO, Mayer K.HIV prevention among black women in the US-time for multimodal integrated strategies.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(4):e215356. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.5356Kaiser Family Foundation.The global HIV/AIDS epidemic.UN AIDS.Global AIDS monitoring.Challacombe SJ.Global oral inequalities in HIV infection.Oral Dis. 2016;22 Suppl 1:35-41. doi:10.1111/odi.12408World Health Organization.HIV/AIDS.World Health Organization.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): HIV and retrovirals.Fields EL, Copeland R, Hopkins E.Same script, different viruses: HIV and COVID-19 in US Black communities.Lancet. 2021;397(10279):1040-1042. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32522-8HIV.gov.PERFAR.
UN AIDS.2020 global AIDS update—seizing the moment.
UN AIDS.UN AIDS data.
World Health Organization.HIV data and statistics.
Ojikutu BO, Mayer K.HIV prevention among black women in the US-time for multimodal integrated strategies.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(4):e215356. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.5356
Kaiser Family Foundation.The global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
UN AIDS.Global AIDS monitoring.
Challacombe SJ.Global oral inequalities in HIV infection.Oral Dis. 2016;22 Suppl 1:35-41. doi:10.1111/odi.12408
World Health Organization.HIV/AIDS.
World Health Organization.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): HIV and retrovirals.
Fields EL, Copeland R, Hopkins E.Same script, different viruses: HIV and COVID-19 in US Black communities.Lancet. 2021;397(10279):1040-1042. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32522-8
HIV.gov.PERFAR.
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