4 min read
THE END STARTS (NOW)
THE END STARTS (NOW)
The world has been fighting HIV/AIDS for decades. Since the epidemic began in the 1980s, more than 44 million people have died from HIV-related causes, and millions more have been impacted by the virus.
Today, AIDS is still a crisis. Over 250 babies are born with HIV every day, and nearly 4,000 women and girls contract HIV every week. But for the first time, we have the tools to change the future of this fight.
WHY NOW?
We’re at a pivotal moment in the fight to end AIDS. Scientific breakthroughs are transforming HIV prevention and treatment, giving people more choices and expanded access to life-saving tools.
Today, antiretroviral (ARV) treatment costs as little as 9 cents per day, compared to 60 cents per day when (RED) was founded in 2006. With effective ARV treatment, people living with HIV can achieve an undetectable viral load, meaning they cannot transmit HIV.
New prevention tools are also changing what's possible. Lenacapavir (LEN), a long-acting injectable form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), has shown almost 100% efficacy. UNAIDS modeling suggests that providing LEN to 20% of adults in certain high-incidence settings, with priority given to people and communities at greatest risk, could prevent approximately 50% of new HIV infections over 10 years.
Other promising options are on the horizon, including alimatravir, an investigational once-monthly oral PrEP pill being developed by (RED) partner Merck. Together, these advances in HIV prevention and long-acting treatment can reduce the need for daily pills and expand choices for populations disproportionately impacted by HIV, including LGBTQ+ communities and women and girls. Ongoing research and clinical trials for an HIV vaccine offer even more possibilities for what's ahead.
WHAT DOES THE END LOOK LIKE?
Ending AIDS as a public health threat doesn't necessarily mean eliminating HIV entirely. It means a future where people living with HIV have access to the treatment and care they need to live long, healthy lives, HIV is effectively managed and suppressed, new infections are increasingly rare, and preventable AIDS-related illness and deaths are no longer widespread. It's an ambitious goal, but one now within reach.
UNAIDS, the United Nations agency leading the global effort to end AIDS, has set a goal of reducing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths by 90% by 2030, compared to 2010.
One way to measure progress is through three targets known as 95–95–95:
95% of all people living with HIV know their status, so they can access treatment
95% of people who know their status are receiving treatment
95% of people receiving treatment have a suppressed viral load, meaning the virus is at such a low level that it cannot be transmitted sexually
According to UNAIDS, achieving the 2030 targets could avert 3.3 million new HIV infections and 1.4 million AIDS-related deaths between 2025 and 2030. Read more about the 2026–2031 UNAIDS strategy here.
HOW CLOSE ARE WE?
Since 2010, new HIV infections have declined by 42% and AIDS-related deaths by 57%. But this hard-won progress is at risk. Reductions in international funding and cuts to HIV prevention and community services threaten to reverse these gains and undermine the global response.
Globally:
88% of people living with HIV know their status
89% of people who know their status are receiving treatment
95% of people receiving treatment have a suppressed viral load
Behind these numbers are millions who still lack access to the services and support they need. Global averages also hide significant gaps between countries and communities, particularly those most affected by HIV.
Visit our impact page to learn about the state of the AIDS fight in the countries that receive (RED)-supported Global Fund grants, many of which are in sub-Saharan Africa, the region most heavily affected by HIV.
WE HAVE THE TOOLS. WHAT WE NEED IS ACTION.
Scientific breakthroughs only make a difference when they reach the people who need them most. This requires governments investing in strong health systems, businesses and philanthropies mobilizing resources and innovation, and community-led organizations delivering services so no one is left behind.
It also takes collective action. That's where (RED) comes in: bringing together businesses, partners, and people to raise awareness and mobilize investment to help end AIDS.
THE END STARTS WITH (YOU).
Every action can help change how this story ends.
Through (RED), you can help raise awareness, mobilize resources and support the Global Fund's work to get life-saving tools to the people who need them most.
