How Close Are We to Curing HIV?

The UK Government aims to see zero HIV transmissions by 2030 – but is this a likely scenario, and how can that be achieved?

Image Credit: Canva

Thanks to decades of advancements in science and medicine, the days where an HIV diagnosis was synonymous with a death sentence are in the past. Various methods of assistance are now available, including PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication, and workplace/charity support. However, much progress still needs to be made with regards to the stereotypes, stigma and connotations surrounding HIV, as well as the education required to live with it safely and provide support for friends and family with a diagnosis. Before HIV can be cured, we must first work to battle the shame still associated with it.

Perhaps the most integral aspect of eradicating HIV is encouraging testing in all sexually active adults. With home testing and clinic testing both readily available, an estimated 85% of people living with HIV know their status. Simply by creating an open dialogue about our status, and understanding what treatment is available and where it can be accessed, the road to curing HIV draws closer.

Despite millions of people living long and happy lives with an HIV diagnosis, the risks of the virus are still notable worldwide. Without access to regular medicine or the means to test their status, 650,000 people passed away in 2021 due to HIV-related causes. This emphasizes the importance of curing this virus, where lives are still being lost in unnecessary circumstances.

Much of the stigma that surrounds living with HIV is related to homophobic connotations. The effect of the 1980s epidemic, and the rife anti-gay narrative associated with HIV and AIDS still ripples through to this day. The idea that this disease targets the LGBTQ+ community only is outdated and inaccurate, with recent statistics indicating that heterosexual men are the more likely demographic to test positive for the virus. By continuing attempts to change this misinformed narrative and educating people on the impact this virus could have on anybody’s life, we stand a better chance of increasing testing and resulting in the maximum number of status-aware people possible.

Though it is vital that improvements in LGBTQ+ sex education in schools are made – particularly with reference to the history of HIV/AIDS, and the advancements achieved in recent years – this education must not stop at childhood. Workplaces that wish to show allyship should incorporate sensitization training for their employees, to ensure they are using the correct language and providing methods of support for the community. World AIDS Day acts as a perfect opportunity to provide education on this topic in any workspace, opening conversations on a topic that is too often ignored. Open communication and a supportive environment are both key to forming an inclusive and welcoming workspace and, crucially, play an integral role in the elimination of the virus overall.

Progress still needs to be achieved in societal attitudes, work and school education, and general awareness towards the impact of HIV. The future of HIV testing and the possibility of a cure in the near future depend entirely upon whether these factors are taken seriously. The UK government’s goal of zero transmissions by 2030 is entirely feasible – if the collaborative work effort is put in by everybody to reach it.

Join myGwork's World AIDS Day panel on 1st December to learn more about how we can better support people with HIV.

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