Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
has claimed more than 40 million lives since 1981 and is still a global epidemic, despite major advances in care. Globally, in 2021, there were
~38 million people living with HIV and 1.5 million new HIV infections, compared with 3.2 million in 1996, prior to the start of triple antiretroviral therapy (ART). Africa has the highest number of individuals living with HIV: ~26 million, with 79% of those receiving ART. This is followed by the Asia–Pacific region, which has ~6 million individuals living with HIV, with 67% of those having access to treatment.
