Global HIV control: is the glass half empty or half full?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Global Health

Background:

• Massive scale-up of HIV treatment and prevention has globally reduced new infections and mortality.
• HIV incidence reduction has been unequal, with worsening epidemics in specific regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight disparities in global HIV control efforts.
• To provide a roadmap for achieving an AIDS-free generation through improved HIV strategies.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of global HIV treatment and prevention program scale-up.
• Identification of regions and key populations with insufficient HIV control.

Main Results:

• Significant global reductions in HIV incidence and mortality due to treatment scale-up.
• Worsening HIV epidemics in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America.
• Disparities in HIV control concentrated among key populations.

Conclusions:

• Existing and novel HIV prevention and treatment strategies require urgent, evidence-informed implementation at scale.
• Enhanced investment and faster, more efficient, cost-effective approaches are crucial, especially for key populations and expanding epidemics.