By Bill Gates
As we approach World AIDS Day on December 1st, I’ve been reflecting on how far the world has come in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In the early days of the epidemic, an HIV diagnosis was often a death sentence.
Today, we not only have treatments that allow people with HIV to live full, healthy lives—we also have medications that can prevent HIV transmission with up to 99 per cent effectiveness.
But there’s a catch: These drugs, known as PrEP, must be taken every single day—a challenge for many people around the world, especially those who live hours from the nearest clinic or face stigma in their communities. And missing even a single dose means waning protection.
I’m excited about a new wave of long-acting preventatives being developed. Imagine going from taking a pill every day to getting protection that lasts for months or even twice a year. Scientists are working on several promising options—from twice-yearly injections to monthly pills and even treatments that combine HIV prevention with contraception. Our foundation is also supporting studies in South Africa, Malawi, and elsewhere to understand how these options work in real-world settings, not just in the lab.
For my latest post on Gates Notes, I dive deeper into these breakthrough innovations and the partnerships making them possible, including the critical work of organizations like the Global Fund and PEPFAR. Twenty years ago, many people believed that delivering HIV treatment at scale in Africa’s poorest regions was impossible. While the world has made remarkable progress since then, these new forms of PrEP could help us take another major step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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