By Chloe Ramirez, Senior Correspondent
June 7, 2025
AIDS-related deaths have reached their lowest level in nearly two decades, according to the United Nations. While this achievement highlights the success of global efforts to combat the epidemic, experts warn that these gains are fragile. A lack of consistent funding could jeopardize years of progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, leaving the global community at risk of losing hard-won advancements.
Historic Drop in AIDS-Related Deaths
According to a new report from the United Nations, AIDS-related deaths have fallen to under 500,000 annually, the lowest number since 2004. This marks a significant decline, with the global death toll dropping by nearly 60% in the last decade.
This progress is attributed to the widespread distribution of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which has enabled millions of people living with HIV to manage the disease effectively. Over the years, ART has proven to be a game-changer, turning HIV from a fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition for many individuals.
The UN’s report also acknowledged improvements in prevention programs, including expanded access to education about HIV transmission and prevention, as well as the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which helps prevent HIV infection in high-risk populations.
Despite the significant decline, AIDS-related deaths still account for one life every minute, underscoring that the epidemic is far from over. Experts emphasize that the fight against HIV/AIDS continues, and the progress made so far remains fragile.
The Impact of Funding Cuts
While the drop in AIDS-related deaths is encouraging, the UN has expressed concerns about the sustainability of this progress. One of the key challenges is the reduction in global funding for HIV/AIDS programs. Over the past few years, many donor nations have decreased their financial contributions to the global fight against HIV, citing competing health priorities, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.
The Global Fund, a key organization in the fight against HIV/AIDS, has faced significant financial shortfalls, with vital HIV services such as testing, treatment, and prevention programs being disrupted in many regions. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where the HIV epidemic remains most severe, have been particularly affected by these cuts. As a result, many individuals in these areas are experiencing interruptions in their HIV care, which could lead to a resurgence in new infections and deaths.
Health experts warn that without continued funding, efforts to combat the disease could stall. “We are at a critical point in the fight against HIV,” said Dr. David Miliband, CEO of the International Rescue Committee. “The progress we’ve made cannot be allowed to unravel due to financial shortfalls.”
The Global Context
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicenter of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, home to more than two-thirds of the world’s HIV cases. Countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe have seen significant progress in controlling the epidemic, but the need for sustained funding is urgent.
The 2025 UNAIDS targets of reaching 90% of people living with HIV, providing antiretroviral therapy to 90% of those diagnosed, and ensuring viral suppression in 90% of those receiving treatment are now at risk. However, a funding gap of approximately $8 billion per year threatens to derail these goals.
“While there has been a significant decline in AIDS-related deaths, this progress is not guaranteed,” warned UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. “If we do not make the necessary investments, we risk losing the battle against this epidemic.”
The Role of Education and Prevention
Education and prevention efforts have played a pivotal role in reducing new HIV infections. Global campaigns to raise awareness about HIV transmission, safe sex practices, and regular testing have contributed to behavior changes, especially among high-risk groups.
The availability of PrEP, a preventive medication, has also been instrumental in reducing infections in key populations. However, disparities in access to education and preventive care persist, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Without ongoing funding to support these programs, vulnerable communities could see an increase in new infections, undermining the progress made over the past several years.
“Prevention is just as important as treatment in the fight against HIV,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. “We need to ensure that people are equipped with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves from HIV.”
What’s at Stake?
The implications of a funding shortfall go beyond just the number of deaths. HIV/AIDS has significant social and economic consequences, particularly in countries with high infection rates. In many parts of the world, people living with HIV face stigma, discrimination, and a lack of access to healthcare. This can affect their ability to work, support their families, and contribute to society.
In the United States, HIV continues to disproportionately affect African American and Latino communities, where rates of new infections remain higher than the national average. Globally, women, young people, and key populations such as men who have sex with men and sex workers remain at high risk.
Additionally, untreated HIV can contribute to the spread of drug-resistant strains of the virus, further complicating efforts to control the epidemic.
A Call for Global Action
The UN’s report serves as a stark reminder that the fight against HIV/AIDS is not over, and that continued support is necessary to prevent a reversal of progress. Health advocates are calling on world leaders to renew their commitment to funding HIV/AIDS programs, emphasizing that the global community must work together to ensure that HIV care and prevention services remain accessible to all.
“If we want to build on the progress we’ve made, we must ensure that funding continues at the levels needed to achieve the 90-90-90 targets,” said Byanyima. “The global community must stand united in the fight against HIV.”
In conclusion, while AIDS-related deaths have dropped to historic lows, the global fight against HIV/AIDS is far from finished. The need for sustained funding, education, and prevention efforts remains critical to ensuring that the progress made so far is not undone, and that the future of the fight against HIV/AIDS remains secure.
