World AIDS Day: 10 things to know about AIDS in 2025

December 1 is World AIDS Day. First recognized in 1988, it is a day international communities take to remember those who have died from HIV/AIDS and to demonstrate continued support of ongoing efforts to address it.

This year, the United States will not formally commemorate World AIDS Day, for the first time since 1988, a move that has some HIV advocates concerned.

“Action must follow our reflection this year to ensure HIV prevention, treatment and research continue, and we don’t lose sight of our vision to end the HIV epidemic,” Anna K. Person, M.D., chair of the HIV Medical Association, said in a news release. “We call on the Administration to recommit to efforts initiated in 2019 to the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative and maintain the HIV research lab at CDC. We call for Congress to fully fund federal HIV programs, including prevention, in 2026 and for clinicians and researchers across the country to raise awareness about the dangers and harms of acts of censorship like canceling World AIDS Day.”

The World AIDS Day theme for this year is "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response."

When the United States temporarily halted international HIV funding earlier this year, global response efforts went into "crisis mode" and resulted in at least 2.5 million individuals losing access to preventative HIV medication, according to an analysis by The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

1. More Than 40 Million People Are Living With HIV Worldwide
   As of late 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus continues to impact every region. Despite advances in treatment and prevention, HIV remains one of the world’s most persistent infectious diseases, requiring sustained public health efforts.
2. New HIV Infections Still Exceed One Million Per Year
   In 2024, approximately 1.3 million people acquired HIV. Infections remain high among marginalized populations, including young women in sub-Saharan Africa, men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs. Experts warn that without ongoing investments in prevention and education, the annual infection rate could stall or rise in regions with limited access to care.
3. AIDS-Related Illnesses Remain Deadly
   Even with effective treatment, 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes in 2024. Many deaths occur due to late diagnosis, treatment interruptions or limited access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Opportunistic infections like tuberculosis continue to be a leading cause of death among people with HIV worldwide.
4. Antiretroviral Therapy Reaches Tens of Millions
   Approximately 31.6 million people received ART in 2024, covering approximately 77% of all people living with HIV. While this is a historic achievement, millions still lack access due to cost, infrastructure gaps, stigma or political instability.
5. Viral Suppression Shows the Power of Treatment
   Approximately 73% of people on treatment achieved viral suppression in 2024, reducing the risk of transmission and improving health outcomes. The U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) message remains central to prevention, but achieving higher suppression rates requires consistent medication access and support systems.
6. Mother-to-Child Transmission Has Declined
   In 2024, 84% of pregnant women with HIV who needed ART received it, lowering the rate of babies born with HIV worldwide. This reflects investments in maternal health, community care and integration of HIV services into prenatal programs.
7. Millions Still Do Not Know Their HIV Status
   Only 87% of people living with HIV globally knew their status in 2024. Late diagnosis remains a critical issue, often resulting in more severe illness and higher transmission risk. This falls short of UNAIDS' 95-95-95 targets set for 2025, which state that by 2025, 95% of all HIV patients should know their HIV status, 95% should have received ART and 95% of people on ART should achieve viral suppression.
8. Sub-Saharan Africa Remains the Epicenter
   Approximately 65% of all people with HIV live in the WHO African Region. Women and adolescent girls face higher risks due to socioeconomic inequalities, gender-based violence and limited access to sexual health services.
9. Global Prevention Efforts Have Cut New Infections
   Prevention strategies, including ART, condoms, preexposure prophylaxis, education, and needle-exchange programs, have reduced new infections by about 40% and reduced the number of AIDS-related deaths by 56% since 2010. Pediatric infections have declined even more sharply due to improved care for pregnant women.
10. Ending AIDS by 2030 Remains a Global Goal
    WHO and UNAIDS remain committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat. Achieving this will require scaling up testing, expanding treatment access, ensuring viral suppression and addressing social inequalities that continue to fuel the epidemic.