In his second State of the Union address, US president Donald Trump announced plans to stop the transmission of HIV in the country by 2030.
According to data by UNAIDS, about 1.2 million people were living with HIV in the United States in 2015.
The epidemic is largely concentrated in urban environments and disproportionally affects gay men and other men who have sex with men and African American, Hispanic and Latino women and men, as well as people who use drugs.
Responding to the 2030 goal, Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, said US government’s steadfast commitment to the HIV response and its support to UNAIDS’ call to end AIDS by 2030 have saved millions of lives.
He added that the commitment will require a response grounded in human rights to reach all people living with and at risk of HIV, including the most marginalized.
“The contribution by the United States to the global response to HIV, made through support for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, has made a tremendous impact,” said Mr Sidibé. “Globally, new HIV infections among children have been reduced by 35% since 2010 and 22 million people are accessing antiretroviral therapy, saving millions of lives.”
The details of the new United States strategy on HIV are yet to be released.