World AIDS Day 2012

© UNAIDS

"Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero deaths from AIDS-related illness. Zero discrimination" is the theme of this year's World AIDS Day. 

In 2011, 2.5 million people were newly infected with HIV and an estimated 1.7 million people died. That is 700,000 fewer new infections worldwide than in 2001, and 600,000 fewer deaths than in 2005. Much of this progress is attributed to the life-saving medications, to treat those infected with HIV. In 2011, at the UN General Assembly, governments agreed to set the goal of getting 15 million HIV-infected people worldwide on the life-saving antiretroviral medicines by 2015. However, this goal might be reviewed next year, as new consolidated guidance on the use of antiretrovirals is to be launched.  

“Many countries are facing economic difficulties, yet most are managing to continue expansion of access to antiretroviral medicines,” says Dr Gottfried Hirnschall, Director of HIV/AIDS Department at WHO. “The 2015 target looks more achievable now than ever before.” “The challenge now is to ensure that global progress is mirrored at all levels and in all places so that people, whoever they are and wherever they live, can obtain antiretroviral therapy when they need it,” adds Dr Hirnschall.

Earlier this year, WHO issued new guidelines for treating people with HIV who have uninfected partners. It is estimated that up 50% of all HIV-positive people in ongoing relationships have HIV-negative partners. WHO is now recommending to offer antiretroviral therapy to the HIV-positive partner, regardless of the strength of his/her immune system, in order to reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission to the uninfected partner. However, some countries are already considering initiating treatment at an even earlier stage in the course of HIV, and by offering all HIV-positive pregnant women antiretroviral therapy for life (Option B+).

WHO is currently reviewing new scientific research and country experiences so that updated and consolidated guidance on the use of antiretrovirals is ought to be published in mid-2013.