How Many People Living with AIDS: A Global Overview
According to the latest estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 36.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide as of 2020. This staggering figure includes both those who are aware of their infection and those who remain undiagnosed. The number of people living with AIDS has decreased over the years, thanks to improved access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and increased awareness about the disease. However, despite these advancements, the global AIDS epidemic remains a significant public health concern.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by HIV/AIDS, an estimated 25.7 million people are living with the virus. This represents approximately 70% of the global total. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS is approximately 1.8 million, while in North America, the figure stands at around 1.2 million. In Western and Central Europe, there are approximately 1.1 million people living with the virus, while in South and Southeast Asia, the number is around 1.1 million.
One of the most concerning aspects of the AIDS epidemic is the high number of children living with HIV/AIDS. According to UNICEF, there were approximately 1.8 million children under the age of 15 living with HIV/AIDS in 2020. This figure includes both children born with HIV and those who have contracted the virus through transmission from their mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
While progress has been made in the fight against AIDS, challenges remain. Stigma and discrimination continue to be significant barriers to accessing care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to HIV/AIDS services in many countries, potentially reversing some of the gains made in recent years.
Efforts to combat the AIDS epidemic must continue to focus on increasing access to ART, improving testing and diagnosis rates, and addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. By doing so, we can work towards a future where the number of people living with AIDS is significantly reduced, and the disease is no longer a major public health threat.
