December 1, 2025, is World AIDS Day, a global moment to reflect on a journey that began in 1981 with the first reported case of AIDS. Professor Li Taisheng, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, traces the path from crisis to control and highlights what lies ahead.
1981 6: From First Cases to Life-Saving Therapy
In 1981, the world recorded its first case of AIDS. By 1996, the introduction of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) transformed HIV from a terminal diagnosis into a manageable condition. The development of immune reconstitution theory meant that patients could rebuild their immune systems and gain years of healthy life.
2010 2015: Prevention Takes Center Stage
The Treatment as Prevention strategy, adopted in 2010, confirmed that effective therapy not only saves lives but also reduces transmission. Five years later, the Test and Treat approach became standard worldwide. Advances in preventing mother-to-child transmission and the emergence of PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) added powerful tools to the prevention arsenal.
2025: A Turning Point
Today, AIDS-related deaths have fallen dramatically compared to a decade ago. People living with HIV who maintain consistent treatment now have nearly the same life expectancy as those without the virus. Options range from a single daily pill to a bimonthly injection, making daily management simpler and more discreet.
Despite these gains, a cure remains elusive, and challenges persist: ensuring equitable access to treatment and prevention, closing funding gaps, combating stigma, and advancing vaccines and novel therapies.
As we observe World AIDS Day, the global community must renew its commitment to innovation, solidarity, and universal health coverage. The long road to ending AIDS continues, and each breakthrough brings us closer to a world free of this epidemic.
Reference(s):
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