The goal of ending HIV/AIDS is realistic.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to be real with approximately 2,110 people dying of AIDS every day in 2018.1 During the same year, about 37.9 million people were living with HIV, of which about 8.1 million were not even aware that they had the infection.
But this, in fact, is great progress. If we look at the overall numbers over the years, there is a 56% drop in AIDS-related deaths since 2004 and a 33% decline since 2010.1 New HIV infections have been reduced by 40% since the peak in 1997.2
With the concerted effort from UNAIDS and partnerships with key organizations and businesses, the numbers are actually looking good and the goals of ending AIDS continues to be realistic. Much of this progress can be attributed to improved access to timely diagnosis and monitoring and proper treatment.