HIV/AIDS enters fifth decade

The HIV epidemic enters its fifth decade amid a global pandemic that has overburdened healthcare systems and constrained access to life-saving services.

Meanwhile, rising poverty, mental health issues, and abuse are increasing children's and women’s risk of infection,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “Unless we ramp up efforts to resolve the inequalities driving the HIV epidemic, which are now exacerbated by COVID-19, we may see more children infected with HIV and more children losing their fight against AIDS."

Alarmingly, 2 in 5 children living with HIV worldwide do not know their status, and just over half of children with HIV are receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART).

Some barriers to adequate access to HIV services are longstanding and familiar, including discrimination and gender inequalities.