New data on HIV

A mother and her 2-year-old son at a clinic in San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire, after collecting their antiretroviral medications. We’ve made significant strides in combating HIV, with 84 per cent of pregnant women living with HIV now receiving antiretroviral treatment, protecting both their health and their babies. Since 2010, new infections have dropped by 62 per cent among children and 48 per cent among adolescents.  Yet a stark treatment gap remains – only 57 per cent of the 1.4 million children with HIV are receiving antiretroviral treatment, compared to 77 per cent of adults. Alarmingly, last year, 250 children age 0-14 died from AIDS-related causes every day. Adolescent girls face a critical challenge. We are far from the SDG target of a 90 per cent reduction in new HIV infections, achieving only a 48 per cent reduction since 2010. Each day, 571 adolescent girls and young women become newly infected with HIV, with 78 per cent of these cases in sub-Saharan Africa. These figures highlight the urgent need for continued efforts and targeted interventions to close the treatment gap and protect our most vulnerable populations.

Learn more about UNICEF's data work on HIV/AIDS Access the country dashboard Access the global/regional dashboard Access the datasets   The new estimates, based on current epidemiological and programmatic data, emphasize the crucial actions needed from UNICEF and its partners. These figures help us understand the HIV epidemic and guide targeted investments in evidence-based programs. This approach supports governments and communities to do the following: Eliminate vertical transmission of HIV, and drive for triple elimination of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. Close the treatment gap for children and adolescents living with HIV by integrating early infant diagnosis and optimizing new paediatric regimens. Prevent new HIV infections among adolescent girls and improve access to quality sexual and reproductive health services.    Please share this email with your networks.

João Pedro Azevedo Chief Statistician, Deputy Director Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring UNICEF Anurita Bains Associate Director HIV/AIDS Programme Group UNICEF