August 26, 2016
In 2000, there were 700,000 people on treatment for HIV, and through innovation and strategic investments, that number is now 17 million. One of the most important tools in achieving this progress was the creation of the Global Fund. Today, more than half of all people on treatment access antiretrovirals through Global Fund-supported programs.
But the fact remains that in 2015 there were 2.1 million new HIV infections around the world. That is a new infection every 15 seconds, and these new infections occur disproportionately in populations most at risk, such as adolescent girls and young women.
There are an estimated 37 million people living with HIV around the world, but less than half have access to the necessary treatment and care. If we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the AIDS epidemic, we need to continue to scale up treatment programs and ensure that everyone who needs treatment has access. Between 2000 and 2015, the world put 17 million people on treatment. If we are going to put the remaining 20 million people on treatment by 2030, we must begin now! Ensuring global health programs and partnerships, such as the Global Fund, are funded is the first step to making the goal a reality.
