The Global Burden of HIV and Progress toward the 2030 UNAIDS Targets: A Comprehensive Review

Mwende Wairimu G.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

                                            ABSTRACT

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic, since its emergence in the early 1980s, claimed millions of lives and remained a significant global public health challenge. As of 2023, approximately 38.4 million people were living with HIV, with Sub-Saharan Africa and key populations disproportionately affected. In response, the international community had set ambitious targets to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, encapsulated in the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals. This comprehensive review, conducted through a synthesis of current literature and global data, assessed the global burden of HIV, the progress made toward achieving these targets, and the challenges that threatened this progress. The review also explored opportunities and innovations, including advances in HIV prevention, integration of services, community-led approaches, digital health technologies, and innovative financing models. Addressing the identified challenges and leveraging these innovations were crucial to achieving the 2030 targets. The article concluded that while substantial progress has been made, a renewed commitment to equity and human rights is essential for ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

Keywords: HIV epidemic, UNAIDS 2030 targets, Global health, Antiretroviral therapy (ART), Prevention and innovation.

CITE AS: Mwende Wairimu G. (2024). The Global Burden of HIV and Progress toward the 2030 UNAIDS Targets: A Comprehensive Review. Research Output Journal of Public Health and Medicine 3(3):46-51. https://doi.org/10.59298/ROJPHM/2024/334651