Today, December 1, marks World AIDS Day 2025 🎗️. On this day, we pause to celebrate how far we've come, and to ask: how close are we to ending AIDS? Professor Li Taisheng, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, guides us through this long journey, from crisis to control, and highlights the breakthroughs and strategies that have shaped the global fight against HIV.
From Crisis to Control: Key Milestones
- 1981: The world's first case of AIDS is reported.
- 1996: Introduction of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) transforms AIDS into a manageable condition through immune reconstitution theory.
- 2010: "Treatment as Prevention" becomes a core public health policy, proving that effective therapy cuts HIV transmission.
- 2015: "Test and Treat" is adopted worldwide, boosting long-term health for people living with HIV. Improvements in preventing mother-to-child transmission and new tools like PrEP emerge.
- 2025: AIDS-related deaths have plummeted compared to a decade ago. With daily pills or bimonthly injections, people on treatment live nearly as long as those without HIV.
According to Professor Li, scientific breakthroughs were only one piece of the puzzle. China's public health strategies—mass testing campaigns, free antiretroviral programs, and community outreach—helped drive down infection rates and stigma. Globally, these lessons have been adapted to local contexts, leading to faster diagnosis and better access to care.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the progress, a universal cure is still out of reach. The hunt for an effective vaccine continues, and gaps in funding, health infrastructure, and social barriers like stigma pose ongoing hurdles. Reaching marginalized communities remains critical to ensure no one is left behind.
On this World AIDS Day, we celebrate the heroes—scientists, health workers, advocates, and communities—whose efforts have brought us this far. The road to ending AIDS is long, but with renewed commitment and innovation, a world without AIDS is within sight. ✨
Stay informed, stay inspired, and let's keep pushing forward!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
