LIFESTYLE

UNAIDS Warns Global HIV Response Is Faltering as Funding Cuts Raise Resurgence Risk The global fight against HIV is at a critical point as funding cuts, unequal access to prevention and growing human rights challenges threaten to reverse decades of progress, UNAIDS has warned. A special UNAIDS report released during the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro shows that 1.2 million people acquired HIV in 2025, while 570,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses. Although both figures are at their lowest levels in more than 30 years, progress remains uneven. New infections increased in three regions and 21 countries during 2025. About nine million of the 41 million people living with HIV were not receiving treatment, while almost half of children living with HIV had no access to antiretroviral therapy. UNAIDS cautioned that more than three million people could acquire HIV by 2030 unless governments urgently accelerate their response. HIV funding falls sharply International HIV financing declined by 18%, from US$8.8 billion in 2024 to US$7.3 billion in 2025—its lowest level in almost two decades. The cuts are particularly concerning for sub-Saharan Africa, where international aid provides about 80% of HIV prevention funding. Some countries have experienced condom funding cuts exceeding 90%, while community-led prevention and...