HIV/AIDS Treatment Access

About

Global efforts to increase access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV/AIDS have been a cornerstone of the international response to the epidemic. Organizations like UNAIDS and PEPFAR have played pivotal roles in expanding access to treatment. PEPFAR, launched in 2003, has significantly transformed the global HIV landscape by providing financial support to heavily impacted countries, improving access to prevention, care, and treatment services. As a result, millions of lives have been saved, and new infections have decreased. The focus on ART has led to significant improvements in health outcomes for people living with HIV. As of 2023, 77% of those with HIV were accessing ART globally. The "Treat All" policy introduced by the WHO in 2015 further emphasized the importance of immediate ART initiation for all individuals diagnosed with HIV. Despite progress, challenges persist, including unequal access to treatment and ongoing stigma and discrimination. Addressing these barriers remains crucial to achieving global targets and ultimately eliminating HIV as a public health threat.