The Latest Breaking News from HIV

Funding cuts risk sending progress back decades, Lord Smith tells a gathering of campaigners organised by The Independent – but there is still hope of ending the pandemic by 2030 if investment is made in new drugs

As World AIDS Day is marked around the globe, rapid scientific progress is being overshadowed by funding shortfalls and weakened health systems that are putting the global fight against HIV at risk.

An estimated 40.8 million people worldwide are living with HIV, and it killed about 630,000 people last year.

Reports highlight devastating impact of slashed funding, especially in parts of Africa, that could lead to 3.3m new HIV infections by 2030

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has unveiled a new HIV action plan in a bid to end transmissions in the next five years

Labour announces prevention programme as well as efforts to re-engage people who have fallen out of medical care

Researchers now describe it as both historical phenomenon and public health model. Its success was remarkable

HIV treatment has delivered life-altering advantages. Antiretroviral therapy has led to a reduced mortality and improved life expectancy for people living with HIV. Nearly 41 million people were living with HIV in 2024. Eastern and southern Africa accounted for 21.1 million while western and central Africa accounted for 5.2 million.

The US State Department has announced it will no longer commemorate World AIDS Day with public messaging. This ends a decades-long tradition of raising awareness on 1 December.

Over half of HIV diagnoses in Europe come too late for effective treatment, international health agencies warn in a new report.

Australia will provide $48 million to its Pacific neighbours to help manage and contain a surge in HIV infections, in a move lauded by advocates as life-saving.