Deaths and infections decrease, the number of people treated progresses. For UNAIDS, the pace is insufficient to hope to control the epidemic in 2030. Since 1988, December 1 is World AIDS Day.
Thirty years after the first World AIDS Day, the HIV epidemic is at an inflection point. For the first time since the turn of the century, the number of deaths fell below one million (900,000). The number of people living with the virus has started to decline. Those who have access to antiretroviral treatments are three times more numerous than in 2010.
Inadequate prevention
"There is a crisis of prevention," worries Michel Sidibé, director of UNAIDS (the agency of the UN in charge of the disease). New infections are also declining, but well below the intermediate targets set for 2020: to fall below 500,000 infections and 500,000 deaths within two years seems unachievable.
In some regions, such as Eastern Europe, there were even last year's record infections (160,000), reports the World Health Organization. At issue here, as in other parts of the world, are discriminatory laws, policies and practices against the most exposed populations or the sick. But also a certain relaxation of individual vigilance, as evidenced by the resurgence of other sexual diseases, in the United States as in Europe.
Condom reimbursement, a small step
Public Health France estimates the number of carriers of HIV to 172 700 in France, including 24 000 unaware of their status. This proportion has not changed "for several years", according to Inserm. Another worrying figure, a quarter of HIV positive people are still at a late stage, while the disease began to evolve.
Some tools are underused, such as self-tests sold in pharmacies, but at a cost (20 €) too high. The reimbursement of condoms by Health Insurance, announced this week by the Minister of Health, is a small step.
Where is the research?
"Only a prevention strategy combined with the development of a preventive vaccine will help control the epidemic," says the National Agency for AIDS Research. He is not found yet. Research on therapeutic vaccines is more advanced. The reservoir cells of the virus, where it persists in a latent state when the patient is treated, begin to be identified. Other clinical trials aim to lighten treatments and limit their side effects.