How Close Are We to Curing HIV?

The UK Government aims to see zero HIV transmissions by 2030 – but is this a likely scenario, and how can that be achieved?

Image Credit: Canva

Thanks to decades of advancements in science and medicine, the days where an HIV diagnosis was synonymous with a death sentence are in the past. Various methods of assistance are now available, including PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication, and workplace/charity support. However, much progress still needs to be made with regards to the stereotypes, stigma and connotations surrounding HIV, as well as the education required to live with it safely and provide support for friends and family with a diagnosis. Before HIV can be cured, we must first work to battle the shame still associated with it.

Perhaps the most integral aspect of eradicating HIV is encouraging testing in all sexually active adults. With home testing and clinic testing both readily available, an estimated 85% of people living with HIV know their status. Simply by creating an open dialogue about our status, and understanding what treatment is available and where it can be accessed, the road to curing HIV draws closer.

Despite millions of people living long and happy lives with an HIV diagnosis, the risks of the virus are still notable worldwide. Without access to regular medicine or the means to test their status, 650,000 people passed away in 2021 due to HIV-related causes. This emphasizes the importance of curing this virus, where lives are still being lost in unnecessary circumstances.

Much of the stigma that surrounds living with HIV is related to homophobic connotations. The effect of the 1980s epidemic, and the rife anti-gay narrative associated with HIV and AIDS still ripples through to this day. The idea that this disease targets the LGBTQ+ community only is outdated and inaccurate, with recent statistics indicating that heterosexual men are the more likely demographic to test positive for the virus. By