The Time to Act is Now!
In 2015, we know what it takes to prevent HIV infections and improve the lives of people living with HIV. We have witnessed the success of treatment and care through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and The Global Fund to Fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria and their partners. According to UNAIDS:
– AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 43% since the peak in 2004
– 15.8 million people are accessing antiretroviral therapy
– 36.9 million people are globally are living with HIV
– New HIV infections have fallen by 35% since 2000
We are on the way to achieving an AIDS-free generation. But we’re not there yet
UNAIDS also reports that in 2014, 2 million people became newly infected with HIV and 1.2 million people died from AIDS-related causes.
UNICEF reports that the number of adolescent deaths from AIDS has tripled over the last 15 years, and that AIDS is the number one cause of death among adolescents in Africa and the second leading cause of death among adolescents globally. Adolescents are the only population group for which mortality figures are not decreasing.
Renewed efforts worldwide are focused on targeting resources to the hardest-hit and most vulnerable populations to not just maintain but to accelerate the momentum of this epic battle. Achieving the goal of an AIDS-free generation will take the united and unwavering commitment of each one of us.
On this World AIDS Day, Act Now to join the fight to end AIDS once and for all!
