Nearly 40 Million Living with HIV: UN Report Reveals 630,000 AIDS-Related Deaths in 2023

A new UN report reveals that nearly 40 million people were living with HIV in 2023, with over 9 million lacking treatment, Arab News reported yesterday.

Despite significant progress since 2004, when 2.1 million died from AIDS-related causes, the current death toll of 630,000 exceeds the 2025 target of under 250,000, the source added.

New infections have surged in regions like the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, with marginalized communities now accounting for 55% of new cases.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima has emphasized the need for adequate resources and protection of human rights to fulfill global leaders’ pledge to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Innovations in treatment, including long-acting injections, are promising but costly, with calls for more affordable options for low and middle-income countries.

It should be mentioned that the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich will address these issues and ongoing advocacy for an AIDS vaccine.