Early HIV diagnosis could reduce AIDS-related deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean: PAHO – PAHO/WHO

One third of people living with HIV are diagnosed late and oftennorth with advanced HIV disease. Ahead of World AIDS Day 2025, PAHO calls for greater access to testing, treatment and prevention throughout the region.

Washington, DC, November 28, 2025 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) urges countries in the Americas to strengthen their response to HIV, warning that around a third of people living with HIV are diagnosed too late, when their immune systems are already severely weakened and their lives are at risk.

The call comes ahead of World AIDS Day, celebrated on December 1, and aims to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis, immediate initiation of antiretroviral treatment and access to comprehensive care – critical measures to prevent advanced HIV disease, save lives and reduce stigma.

According to the latest data, an estimated 2.8 million people were living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024. While the Caribbean achieved a 21% reduction in new infections since 2010, Latin America recorded a 13% increase during the same period. AIDS-related deaths decreased from 42,000 to 27,000 in Latin America and from 12,000 to 4,800 in the Caribbean.

“Our Region has made significant progress, from expanding access to long-acting medications to adopting simplified treatments that transform lives,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. «Even so, the fight is not over. Every year 38,000 lives are lost in the Americas due to causes related to HIV. Behind each figure there is a story, a family, a truncated dream,» he added.

Around 14% of people living with HIV in Latin America and 15% in the Caribbean are unaware of their diagnosis, which means that more than a third of cases are detected at an advanced stage, which increases the risk of opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, cryptococcosis or histoplasmosis. Expanding screening and diagnosis, prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy for those who test positive, and providing pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (known as PrEP and PEP) for people who test negative but are at risk of exposure to HIV are measures that can help accelerate the elimination of HIV as a public health problem.

New forms of long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis, such as lenacapavir, which is administered every six months, can also play a key role in expanding prevention options and advancing HIV elimination efforts. Advances in medicine and public health have enabled rapid diagnosis of HIV and the development of effective methods for combined prevention and treatment. Current antiretroviral therapies are very safe and effective, achieving viral suppression to undetectable levels in the blood, a situation in which the virus is not sexually transmitted.

“To accelerate progress, prevent AIDS-related deaths and improve the quality of life of people living with the virus, we must focus on expanding diagnosis, increasing access to PrEP and optimizing antiretroviral treatment,” said Dr. Barbosa.

With the support of Unitaid, PAHO is implementing a regional project to reduce mortality from advanced HIV disease by strengthening evidence and data generation, introducing new tests to diagnose tuberculosis, histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, and promoting equitable access to treatments for opportunistic infections.

under the topic “Zero deaths from AIDS by 2030”, This year’s World AIDS Day campaign seeks to raise awareness of advanced HIV disease, highlight the stories behind the cases and encourage a collective response (from governments and health professionals to society at large) to achieve elimination by 2030.

As part of the commemorative activities, a virtual event will be held on December 5 to launch the Regional Alliance to End AIDS in the Americas, an initiative aimed at strengthening coordination between government institutions, communities, international agencies and decision makers to promote innovation towards the elimination of HIV.

HIV/AIDS is one of more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions that PAHO aims to eliminate by 2030 under its Elimination Initiative.