On World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments and global partners to rapidly increase access to newly endorsed tools, particularly lenacapavir (LEN), in an effort to lower HIV infections and combat the interruption of essential services caused by recent reductions in international aid.

Even with serious funding challenges, 2025 saw renewed progress in the fight against HIV, driven by the approval of lenacapavir for preventive use. Administered every six months via injection, LEN represents a breakthrough option for individuals who experience difficulties with daily medication or face stigma in seeking healthcare. This July, WHO issued new recommendations supporting the use of LEN as an additional method of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention.

Recent cuts to global funding have severely disrupted HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services. Community-based initiatives, especially those offering PrEP or targeted support for injecting drug users, have been reduced or halted in multiple regions.

“We are confronting serious obstacles due to shrinking external funding and stalled prevention efforts,” stated Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Yet, new advancements offer real hope. Prioritizing access to these innovations, particularly for those most vulnerable to HIV, is essential for every country and supporting organization.”

This year’s theme for World AIDS Day, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” highlights WHO’s call for mutual support and increased investments in innovation to better serve communities at risk.

After years of advancement, the global response to HIV is at a pivotal point. In 2024:

• HIV prevention efforts stalled, with 1.3 million new cases – many affecting key risk groups;

• According to UNAIDS, nearly half (49%) of these new infections occurred among sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender women, people who inject drugs, and their partners;

• Risk levels remain disproportionately high: 17 times higher for sex workers and trans women, 18 times higher for men who have sex with men, and 34 times higher for injecting drug users;

• These elevated risks stem in part from stigma, discrimination, and legal and societal barriers that prevent people from receiving needed care;

• Around the world, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV, and 630,000 lost their lives to HIV-related illnesses.

Though the full effects of reduced donor support are still being studied, access to PrEP has clearly declined. Reports estimate that by October 2025, about 2.5 million people who were using PrEP in 2024 could no longer obtain it, a gap attributed solely to funding losses. These disruptions threaten to reverse significant progress and complicate the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

Driving Innovation Forward

“We are seeing a wave of powerful innovations in how we prevent and treat HIV,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Department of HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections. “When these advances are combined with community support and the removal of structural obstacles, the result is wider, equitable access to life-saving care.”

On October 6, 2025, WHO officially prequalified lenacapavir for HIV prevention. Since then, national regulatory bodies have approved it in South Africa (October 27), Zimbabwe (November 27), and Zambia (November 4), with WHO’s Collaborative Registration Procedure aiding those approvals. WHO continues to work alongside partners such as CIFF, the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund, and Unitaid to make LEN both available and affordable in countries with the greatest need. Access to long-acting prevention and treatment options should be seen as a shared global responsibility.

HIV Services Within Primary Health Systems

According to WHO, the future of the AIDS response hinges on integrating comprehensive, rights-focused HIV services within broader primary health care systems. The organization remains committed to collaborating with leaders and communities to ensure that those affected most remain central to the response. Despite financial hurdles, strong community leadership and resilience continue to push solutions forward. By reinforcing health systems, boosting local investment, and upholding human rights, nations can preserve progress and ensure that no one is left behind.