UN: One person dies every minute from AIDS-related illnesses in 2023

The United Nations reported in a new study that the number of people infected with the HIV virus, which causes AIDS, was nearly 40 million worldwide in 2023. According to the report published on Monday, August 1, more than 9 million of these individuals received no treatment, resulting in one person dying every minute from AIDS-related illnesses. While progress is being made to end the global AIDS epidemic, the UN report states that advancements have slowed, funding is decreasing, and new infections are rising in three regions: the Middle East and North Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Latin America. The report indicates that approximately 630,000 people died in 2023 due to AIDS-related illnesses, a significant decrease from 2.1 million deaths caused by this disease in 2004. However, the latest figure is more than double the target set for 2025, which is less than 250,000 deaths from AIDS. The UN AIDS agency noted the extraordinarily high prevalence of HIV among adolescents and young women in parts of Africa, stating that gender inequality exacerbates risks for girls and women. The first case of treatment for a woman with HIV using stem cell transplantation was reported. Additionally, new infections among marginalized communities, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs, have increased from 45 percent in 2010 to 55 percent in 2023. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of the UN AIDS agency, stated, "World leaders have committed to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030, and they can keep their promise, but only if the necessary resources to combat HIV are ensured and human rights are upheld." World leaders had pledged to reduce new HIV infections to less than 370,000 by 2025, but the UN report indicates that the number of new infections in 2023 has risen to over three times that, reaching 1.3 million. According to the report, of the 39.9 million people living with HIV worldwide, 86 percent were aware of their infection, 77 percent had access to treatment, and for 72 percent, the virus was suppressed. Cesar Nuñez, head of the UN AIDS agency office in New York, stated at a press conference that advancements in HIV treatment have been made; injections that can remain in the body for six months cost $40,000 a year for two doses, making it inaccessible to all but the wealthy. He said the agency has requested the drug manufacturer to provide it at a lower cost to low- and middle-income countries. Nuñez added that the current cost of daily pill treatment is about $75 per person per year, allowing many countries to cover more individuals with HIV for treatment. The UN AIDS agency will continue to support the development of a vaccine to prevent AIDS.