New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) The estimated diagnosed prevalent cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are set to grow on a global scale at an annual growth rate (AGR) of 0.90%, increasing from 2.00 million in 2023 to 2.18 million in 2033, as stated in a report released on Friday.
The analysis conducted by GlobalData, a prominent data and analytics firm, highlights that this surge in HIV cases will predominantly occur in countries like the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Japan.
By 2033, it is projected that the US will report the highest number of diagnosed prevalent cases of HIV among these seven nations, with an estimated 1.46 million cases.
Conversely, Japan is expected to have the lowest number of diagnosed cases, approximating 34,400.
“The increase in diagnosed prevalent cases of HIV is anticipated due to a mixture of factors including a heightened diagnosis rate, improved life expectancy for HIV-positive individuals attributed to anti-retroviral treatment (ART), and demographic changes in these regions,” explained Casey Freimuth, Senior Epidemiologist at GlobalData.
There are several effective strategies available to mitigate future HIV prevalence, such as achieving viral suppression through ART, and utilizing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
PrEP has recently gained approval in the US and five European nations including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, while it has yet to be adopted in Japan.
“To effectively lessen the impact of HIV in the future, it is crucial to focus on minimizing transmission through either PrEP or ART, alongside education and enhanced access to testing,” Freimuth emphasized.
In addition, the recent endorsement of lenacapavir by the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) marks a pivotal advancement in HIV treatment. This innovative medication, developed by Gilead Sciences, employs a unique method involving biannual injections to assist individuals with multidrug-resistant HIV.
