HIV Infections Fall, but Funding Threatens Gains

What do the latest global HIV figures show?

New HIV infections reached 1.2 million worldwide in 2025, a 40% drop compared to 2010, while AIDS-related deaths fell to 570,000. UNAIDS released these findings on 27 July at the opening of the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro — the first time the event has been held in Brazil.

Why is progress at risk?

Despite the encouraging numbers, UNAIDS warns that declining funding for prevention and treatment threatens to reverse these gains. New infections actually rose in 21 countries and three regions, and Brazil is among them. In response, Brazil expanded access to prevention medicines by 41%.

What role does injectable PrEP play?

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima highlighted injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a game-changer — one dose can protect a healthy person from HIV infection for up to six months. The agency estimates that 20 million people need access to long-acting injectable PrEP for the world to meet its goal of ending AIDS as a public-health threat by 2030, a commitment made by UN member states just weeks ago.

What needs to happen next?

Byanyima stressed that science has done its part; now policy must follow. She called for affordable pricing, generic competition, regional manufacturing, technology transfer and fast integration into national programmes. If these steps are implemented, UNAIDS projects 3.2 million new infections and 1.3 million AIDS-related deaths could be prevented.