The Existing AIDS Response is Failing Children

The UNAIDS released a new report, In Danger, ahead of the International AIDS Conference in Montreal, Canada, today. “Today’s report is a chilling indicator of the damning inequities facing children in the fight for an AIDS-free generation and speaks to the focused efforts still needed to end HIV and AIDS in children globally,” said EGPAF CEO and President, Chip Lyons. Approximately 160,000 children were newly infected with HIV in 2021 – an unconscionable rate equivalent to 430 new pediatric infections daily. Nearly 85% of these new vertical infections occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. The data also shows that while children make up 4% of all people living with HIV in 2021, they accounted for 15% of all AIDS-related deaths globally. As the report states, “we can do better at preventing and treating HIV in children.”

To end HIV in children, we must ensure mothers and pregnant women living with HIV can safely and regularly access HIV care services. According to the report, almost half of all new HIV infections in children are due to HIV-positive mothers not receiving access to HIV testing services and antiretroviral therapy (ART), and yet, ART coverage for pregnant women living with HIV has not meaningfully improved since 2014. Engaging pregnant women in care is a foundational first step to decrease the likelihood of transmitting HIV to their babies, while also protecting their own health.

Simply put, the existing HIV response is failing to meet the needs of children. Globally, only 52% of children who become infected with HIV are accessing HIV treatment services whereas the same treatment coverage for adults is at 76%, a gap that has continued to grow. “This is flat out unacceptable and a far cry from the 95-95-95 target goals,” said Lyons. “We have the best pediatric diagnostic and treatment tools we have ever had in our fight against HIV. Now, we must deploy them to reduce the growing number of new pediatric HIV infections and, by doing so, close the gaps between adults and children.” According to Lyons, “it is incumbent upon the global health community to step up to this achievable challenge and save the lives of kids impacted by HIV and AIDS. If we are to truly guarantee an AIDS-free generation, the global AIDS response must be laser focused on addressing these unacceptable inequities by taking deliberate action that prioritizes the life of every child at risk for or living with HIV.”

To arrange an interview or to find out more information about EGPAF events or programs, please contact:

• Eric Kilongi
  Associate Director, Communications & Media, Africa (Based in Nairobi, Kenya)
  +254 735 702 701
  ekilongi@pedaids.org
• Daniel J. Pino
  Manager, Media Relations & External Engagement (Based in Washington, D.C., U.S.)
  dpino@pedaids.org