Key Takeaways:
– HIV infections and related deaths decrease globally, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
– Preventative measures, such as the PrEP treatment, are effective tools.
– A new antiretroviral treatment called lenacapavir shows promise, with 100% prevention success rate but may not be affordable for everyone.
During the past decade, the world achieved significant advancement in the fight against HIV. Both the rate of new infections and fatalities decreased by a noticeable margin. However, health authorities are quick to caution that the fight against this persistent disease is nowhere near its end.
Impressive Results Yet Far From Perfection
In the 2010s, global HIV infections saw a decline of one-fifth, an achievement directly attributed to the efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa. Indeed, this region, which felt the brunt of the epidemic, made the most impact on these numbers. Similarly, the number of AIDS-related deaths also dropped by about 40%, bringing the figures under a million annually.
However, while significant, this progress is not universal. Some regions, like Eastern Europe and the Middle East, experienced a rising trend in HIV infections. Additionally, these figures don’t bring us close to the United Nations’ target of virtually eliminating AIDS-related deaths by 2030.
Resilient Solutions for Disease Control
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, largely known as PrEP, have proven very effective in the fight against HIV. The daily consumption of these pills can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by about 99% during sexual activity.
In addition to preventative measures, those already infected with HIV can also combat the virus through antiretroviral therapy. This treatment could decrease the viral load in their blood to undetectable levels, dramatically reducing the risk of transmitting the disease. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that the chance of breastfeeding moms passing HIV onto their kids is less than 1% when they have such low viral loads.
New Hope in the Horizon
While those living in better-off countries have access to these preventative measures and advanced treatments, those in less affluent nations struggle due to the high costs. There’s hope though; a novel drug, lenacapavir, is being developed and tipped as a potential game-changer.
Lenacapavir is an antiretroviral treatment that just needs to be administered twice a year. This significantly reduces the burden of administration, typically requiring daily pill intake, for HIV patients.
The Impending Affordability Crisis
However, there’s a substantial financial hiccup. Pharmaceutical company Gilead, the manufacturer of lenacapavir, charges a staggering $40,000 yearly per person for this groundbreaking treatment in several countries.
Following this price revelation, calls came for Gilead to reduce these costs, especially for poorer hit nations. Thankfully, Gilead responded to these pleas by allowing licensing deals with six generic drug manufacturers who will provide cheaper versions of lenacapavir in lower-income countries.
Despite this, the problem is far from solved. There are still millions of individuals living in countries outside these deals, missing out on affordable access to this life-changing treatment.
In addition to these direct health benefits, the infrequent injections could also undermine the stigma attached to the disease.
In the Quest for a Vaccine
Sadly, despite relentless efforts over several decades, creating a HIV vaccine remains an elusive target. Although lenacapavir’s effectiveness in prevention is comparable to a vaccine, a real HIV vaccine is yet to be developed.
Sometimes, HIV patients can also get cured completely. However, these cases are rare and typically involve brutal stem cell transplants to treat their leukaemia, making it a nonviable option for most living with HIV.
In conclusion, while significant strides have been made in the fight against HIV, the battle is far from over. As we approach World AIDS Day, let’s shine light on the unseen corners and keep pushing towards eliminating AIDS-related deaths globally.