HIV/AIDS

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Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, the Region of the Americas has contributed with a public health and human rights approach to the global response to HIV. Member States during the Seventy-Fifth World Health Assembly noted with appreciation the new Global Health Sector Strategies on, respectively, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for the period 2022-2030 (GHSS) and approved its implementation for the next 8 years. These Strategies aim to promote an accelerated, focused, more effective, innovative and sustainable response, paving the way towards the goal of ending the epidemics of AIDS, STIs and viral hepatitis as public health problems in the Region of the Americas by 2030.

Key facts
  • The number of new HIV infections in Latin America is estimated to have increased 4.7% from 2010 to 2021, with approximately 110,000 new infections in 2021. The Caribbean had a reduction of 28% from 2010 to 2021, down from an estimated 19.000 new cases to 14.000 per year.
  • The HIV epidemic in the Region disproportionally affects certain sub-population (key populations), including gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) transgender women, and female sex workers. In Latin America, these three key populations account for more than half of the new infections in 2021, and 44% in the Caribbean.
  • In 2021, there were an estimated 3.8 milllion people with HIV in the Americas, of which 2.5 million live in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • In Latin America, the number of people dying of AIDS-related death has decreased from 40000 in 2010 to 29 thousand in 2021, while the Caribbean decreased from 12 thousand to 5,700 in the same period.
  • It is estimated that 18% of people with HIV in Latin America and in the Caribbean are unaware of their infection. Approximately one third are diagnosed late, with advanced immunodeficiency (under 200 CD4 per mm3 of blood).
  • Approximately 1.5 million people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Latin America and 230 thousand in the Caribbean by the end of 2021, accounting for 69% ART coverage all persons estimated to be living with HIV in Latin America and 70% in the Caribbean.
  • WHO: Key facts
PAHO Response

The 75th World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Health Sector Strategies on, respectively, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for the period 2022-2030 (GHSS). The strategies include five strategic directions that guide priority actions by countries and by WHO.

The strategic directions are:

  • Deliver high-quality, evidence-based, people-centred services.
  • Optimize systems, sectors and partnerships for impact.
  • Generate and use data to drive decisions for action.
  • Engage empowered communities and civil society.
  • Foster innovations for impact.