WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) on Friday urged countries of the Americas, including the Caribbean, to strengthen their response to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), warning that around one-third of people living with HIV are diagnosed too late, when their immune system is already severely weakened and their lives are at risk.

PAHO’s call comes ahead of World AIDS Day, observed on December 1, and aims to raise awareness about the importance of early diagnosis, immediate initiation of antiretroviral treatment, and access to comprehensive care— “critical measures for preventing advanced HIV disease, saving lives and reducing stigma.”

PAHO said an estimated 2.8 million people were living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024.

While the Caribbean achieved a 21 per cent reduction in new infections since 2010, PAHO said Latin America recorded a 13 per cent increase over the same period.

PAHO said AIDS-related deaths declined 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 medicines to adopting simplified treatments that transform lives,” said PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa. “Even so, the fight is not over. Each year, 38,000 lives are lost in the Americas to HIV-related causes.

“Behind every number is a story, a family, a dream cut short,” he added.

PAHO said around 14 per cent of people living with HIV in Latin America and 15 per cent in the Caribbean are unaware of their diagnosis, meaning that more than one-third of cases are detected at an advanced stage, increasing the risk of opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, cryptococcosis, or histoplasmosis.

It said scaling up screening and diagnosis, immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy for those who test positive, and providing pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis (known as PrEP and PEP) for individuals who test negative but are at risk of HIV exposure 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, may also play a key role in expanding prevention options and advancing HIV elimination efforts, PAHO said. It noted that advances in medicine and public health have enabled rapid HIV diagnosis and the development of effective methods for combined prevention and treatment.

The health body stressed that 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 transmitted sexually.

“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 optimising antiretroviral treatment,” Dr Barbosa said.

With support from Unitaid, PAHO said it 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 theme, “Zero AIDS Deaths by 2030”, PAHO said this year’s World AIDS Day campaign seeks to raise awareness about 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 for Ending AIDS in the Americas, an initiative aimed at strengthening coordination among government institutions, communities, international agencies, and decision-makers to drive innovation toward HIV elimination.

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