A *new analysis found that while countries have made significant progress over the past decade, funding shortfalls, humanitarian crises and persistent inequalities widen gaps in care for those most vulnerable.
“This report tells two stories,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “It shows what is possible when countries invest in health, society and science. But it also shows how quickly progress can be undone by funding disruptions, humanitarian emergencies and persistent inequalities.”
Millions left behind
By the end of 2025, an estimated 32 million people living with HIV were on treatment worldwide. Since 2010, new HIV infections have fallen by 42 percent and AIDS-related deaths by 57 percent.
Yet some nine million people still lack access to life-saving HIV drugs, while infections continue to rise in several regions, particularly among populations facing stigma and discrimination, including sex workers, people who inject drugs, transgender people and people in prisons.
The picture is similarly mixed for viral hepatitis.
Annual hepatitis B infections have fallen by nearly a third since 2015, and deaths associated with hepatitis C have fallen. Despite these gains, viral hepatitis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, estimated to cost 1.3 million lives by 2024.
Meanwhile, progress against sexually transmitted infections has slowed.
Although more pregnant women are being screened for syphilis and HPV vaccination coverage has improved modestly, infection rates continue to rise in many countries, while there is increasing resistance to antibiotics used to treat gonorrhea.
Funding pressure
The WHO warned that reductions in international donor funding disrupted HIV prevention programs in several countries during 2025, affecting access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medicine that significantly reduces the risk of contracting HIV.
Some governments have advocated maintaining services, but early data suggest that use of PrEP has already declined in several countries and communities.
The agency also highlighted continuing barriers to diagnosing and treating hepatitis B despite the availability of highly effective drugs capable of preventing millions of deaths.
Integrated health systems
The WHO said that integrating HIV, hepatitis and STI services into primary health care is one of the fastest ways to expand access while building more resilient health systems.
The report also highlights innovations such as long-acting HIV prevention drugs, improved diagnostic tools and stronger digital health systems as key opportunities to accelerate progress.
Among the most promising advances is the WHO-recommended twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir, which is now being introduced in 10 countries, with roll-out planned for another 14.
speaks to Pakinomist Last month, Mandeep Dhaliwal, director of the Prosperity and Wellbeing Hub at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), described the drug as a potential game changer.
“Lenacapavir is a highly effective HIV prevention tool. Given as an injection just twice a year, it has the potential to transform the HIV response by preventing new infections, particularly among populations at greatest risk,” she said.
WHO also stressed the importance of strengthening community leadership and ensuring that the people most affected by HIV, hepatitis and STDs help shape health programs and monitor whether services reach those who need them most.
“Over the next five years, we must build integrated, resilient health systems that reach those furthest behind,” Tedros said.
*Tuesday marks World Hepatitis Daythe birthday of the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus
