Miles to go: Closing gaps, breaking barriers, righting injustices

“The global AIDS response is at a precarious point—partial success in saving lives and stopping new HIV infections is giving way to complacency. At the halfway point to the 2020 targets, the pace of progress is not matching the global ambition. This Global AIDS Update report is a wake-up call—action now can still put us back on course to reach the 2020 targets.

The number of AIDS-related deaths is the lowest this century, with fewer than 1 million people dying each year from AIDS-related illnesses, thanks to sustained access to antiretroviral therapy. Three out of four people living with HIV now know their status—the first step to getting treatment. And now a record 21.7 million people are on treatment—a net increase of 2.3 million people since the end of 2016. The scale-up of access to treatment should not be taken for granted, though. In the next three years an additional 2.8 million people must be added each year, but there are no new commitments to increase resources, there is an acute shortage of health-care workers and there is continuing stigma and discrimination.”