According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS. There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life. But, with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. People with HIV who get effective HIV treatment can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners.
Globally, according to World Health Organization (WHO), 38.4 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2021. An estimated 0.7% of adults aged 15-49 years worldwide are living with HIV, although the burden of the epidemic continues to vary considerably between countries and regions.
As an ally and an advocate for people affected by HIV/AIDS, I applaud the efforts of Gilead Sciences, as well as many other organizations such as GLAAD, that lead the charge for awareness.
Gilead Sciences has long been a leader in the development of antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Researchers at Gilead Sciences have developed 11 commercially available HIV medications and are advancing a robust pipeline of next-generation therapeutic options.
Recognizing that the greatest need for HIV treatment is in low and middle income countries, Gilead Sciences has put in place innovative programs and partnerships to expand global access to its medicines. In 2021, HIV medicines were made available to an estimated 16.5 million people living with HIV in resource-limited countries around the world through organizations that benefited from Gilead Sciences' licensing arrangements.
Together, let's turn the stigma of HIV on its head!
Last Updated: May 17, 2023
