New HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have fallen to their lowest levels in more than thirty years, according to a special report released by UNAIDS in time for the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro. The milestone comes alongside clinical breakthroughs in prevention, including the lenacapavir trial results and expanding treatment access across multiple countries.
Global Infection Rates Reach Three-Decade Lows
The latest UNAIDS findings indicate that the international response to the epidemic continues to yield measurable progress. Seven countries—Benin, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Nepal, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe—have achieved an almost 80% reduction in new HIV infections since 2010, according to the report.
Additionally, eleven countries have met the strict “95-95-95” treatment targets. This means 95% of all people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on ART are virally suppressed.
Lenacapavir and the New Wave of Prevention Medicines
Preventative options are shifting rapidly toward long-acting injectables. According to a UNAIDS statement, the world sits on the cusp of an HIV prevention revolution offering close to vaccine-like protection.
“Monthly and six-month injections are slowly trickling into the market, and monthly pills are in late-stage trials. What is coming to market and in the pipeline is extraordinary,” the agency noted.
Did you know? In June, trial results for the twice-yearly prevention injection lenacapavir showed zero HIV infections among 3,200 young female participants in the Purpose 1 trial. UNITAID, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and international partners are pooling resources to roll out lenacapavir to reach 3 million people by 2028.
Country-Level Expansion and Treatment Access
National healthcare programs are adapting quickly to incorporate new pharmaceutical tools. Brazil increased the number of people accessing HIV prevention medicines by 41% over the past year, according to the UNAIDS report.
At the same time, Ethiopia and Uganda expanded access through domestic and international funding streams. South Africa is actively negotiating pricing deals for twice-yearly lenacapavir injections to make the preventative drug widely available to populations at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the “95-95-95” treatment targets?
How effective is lenacapavir in preventing HIV?
Data from the Purpose 1 clinical trial showed zero HIV infections recorded among 3,200 young female participants using the twice-yearly injection.
Which countries have reduced new infections the most?
According to the UNAIDS report, Benin, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Nepal, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe have achieved an almost 80% reduction in new infections since 2010.
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