AI Summary
In 1981, AIDS was first recognized and by 1983, the virus causing it, HIV, was identified. Since then, there have been almost 80 million cases worldwide and more than 35 million deaths. Antiretroviral therapy has led to improved outcomes, but more global commitment is needed to control the epidemic by 2030.
In 1981, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first recognized and, by 1983, the aetiological agent, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), had been identified. The development and roll out of antiretroviral therapy has led to a reversal of the devastating mortality. Despite substantial progress, the epidemic is far from over and renewed global commitment is urgently needed to ensure the goal of epidemic control by 2030 is met.
In 1981, the world became aware of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a new condition that affected in particular young, gay men in large cities in North America and Europe. Since then, we have documented almost 80 million cases worldwide resulting in the death of more than 35 million individuals mostly in the earliest months of life or at the prime of life. The virus causing the condition was called the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and was co-discovered by Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and her former mentor Luc Montagnier in 1983 in Paris, France. They jointly received the Nobel prize “for their discovery of human immunodeficiency virus” in 2008. In 1984, in Bethesda, USA, Robert Gallo and his team isolated the virus from a larger group of patients and further linked the virus to AIDS. Those and other studies unleashed decades of discovery, global funding and civil society mobilization<a data-track="click" data-track-action="reference anchor" data-track-label="link" data-test="citation-ref" aria-label="Reference 1" title="Bekker, L.-G. et