
When World AIDS Day began the disease was considered a death sentence, but recent research into detection and cures has improved life expectancy. Research such as antiretroviral therapies have transformed treatment for HIV. Other novel research studies are investigating diverse strategies from immunotherapy to genetic engineering to vaccine development. Some research highlights can be found at The 22nd International AIDS Conference.
Key Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO):
- HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 35 million lives so far. In 2017, 940,000 people died from HIV-related causes globally.
- There were approximately 36.9 million people living with HIV at the end of 2017 with 1.8 million people becoming newly infected in 2017 globally.
- 59% of adults and 52% of children living with HIV were receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2017.
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