HIV/AIDS Overview

HIV /AIDS is a preventable disease; yet millions of people are still becoming infected.

• In 2007, for every two persons that received treatment, an estimated five people became infected.
• Even if the number of new HIV infections continues to decline at current rates—for which there is no guarantee—there will still be more than 22 million new infections by 2015.

HIV prevention works.

Many countries have made progress in reducing the number of new HIV infections through comprehensive prevention efforts. However, much work needs to be done.

• Fewer than one in five people at greatest risk of infection have access to effective prevention programs, such as education, condom distribution, prevention of mother to child HIV transmission, and HIV testing.
• New HIV infections could be significantly reduced if if effective prevention programs are expanded and reach those at greatest risk of HIV infection.

A vaccine and other new prevention options are urgently needed.

Despite the proven effectiveness of existing prevention approaches, they have limitations. For example, many women are not in a position to insist that their partners wear condoms. The development of a vaccine and other new prevention options is critical for successfully fighting the epidemic, especially in developing countries.

Although the resources devoted to preventing HIV/AIDS have increased substantially in recent years, they have failed to keep pace with the epidemic.

In 2008, there was a global shortage of $6.5 billion to fight HIV/AIDS. The current global economic crisis has raised concerns about the ability to fill this gap. The status of vaccine funding is particularly uncertain.

Our goals are to stop the spread of HIV by expanding access to successful prevention strategies and to identify and research new ways to prevent HIV transmission.

Next: Our Approach

Fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic requires global coordination, and we’re working with partners around the world to strengthen efforts to prevent the disease. We support the following strategies:

Implement model programs for HIV prevention

Male circumcision, replacement therapy for intravenous drug users, youth behavior change, and counseling and testing are just some of the proven methods that can prevent HIV from spreading. We’re investing in comprehensive and effective HIV-prevention programs that will ensure that these methods are delivered to those in need.

Improve and develop safe, effective, and affordable prevention technologies.

Current non-vaccine biomedical approaches to HIV prevention, such as antiretroviral drugs, offer the promise of preventing infections, but more research and development is needed. Our goal is to develop or improve effective non-vaccine biomedical interventions for HIV prevention, namely male circumcision, vaginal microbicides, and pre-exposure prophylaxis strategies.

Develop an HIV vaccine

A vaccine against HIV could have the most profound effect on the AIDS pandemic. We’re supporting a range of efforts to apply new scientific knowledge and cutting-edge research techniques to create and evaluate novel HIV vaccine candidates.

Advocate for policies and financing

Globally, funding for HIV prevention is decreasing, particularly for vaccine research and development in light of recent failed trials. Our greatest long-term hope for stopping the epidemic lies in preventing new HIV infections through the discovery, development, and delivery of new prevention tools. We’re engaged in efforts to increase access to policies and strategies and additional funding for developing and delivering new prevention tools to save lives.