HIV infections can be prevented—why some people act to protect themselves, and others don't

HIV infections can be prevented—why some people act to protect themselves, and others don’t

Medical Xpress December 1, 2024
Hilton Humphries, The Conversation

The number of new HIV infections has fallen over the years—it declined by 39% from 2010 to 2023. But HIV’s devastating impact on global health persists. In 2023, 1.3 million people acquired HIV—three times more than the 370,000 target set by UNAids. In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV incidence among young women aged 15–24 is decreasing—but they accounted for 27% of all new infections in 2023, and were three times more likely to acquire HIV than male counterparts.

There are a variety of effective, user-centered HIV prevention options. They include oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEp, a daily pill that contains antiretroviral drugs), condoms, vaginal rings (which can be inserted and release drugs), and long-acting injectables.