Global progress against HIV is evident as infection rates and deaths continue to decline, according to a recent study in The Lancet HIV journal. Over the 2010s, new HIV infections dropped by 20%, and AIDS-related deaths decreased by 40%, largely due to advancements in sub-Saharan Africa. However, infections have spiked in regions like Eastern Europe and the Middle East, highlighting the uneven progress. Despite these gains, the world still falls short of the UN’s goal to eradicate AIDS-related deaths by 2030, with more than a million new infections yearly and a quarter of the 40 million people living with HIV lacking treatment.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has been instrumental in reducing HIV transmission by 99% among users and is increasingly encouraged among diverse groups beyond men who have sex with men. Moreover, antiretroviral therapy reduces HIV to undetectable levels, significantly lowering transmission risk, including from mother to child.
The development of lenacapavir, a new antiretroviral drug that requires just biannual injections, offers promising results, showing 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV. However, the drug’s high cost, priced by Gilead at $40,000 annually, threatens accessibility in lower-income regions, though recent licensing agreements with generic manufacturers aim to address this gap.
While a universally effective HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is seen as a transformative tool akin to vaccination, potentially overcoming challenges like stigma associated with daily HIV medication. Although curative treatments exist, they remain impractical due to their intensive procedures. Experts continue to call for affordable access to breakthrough treatments worldwide to sustain the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Original Story https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/remarkable-global-progress-hiv-cases-and-deaths-declining/115676673
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