Archive for category: HIV/AIDS

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Everything To Know About HIV/AIDS in Mongolia

HIVAIDS in MongoliaMongolia is a vast country in East Asia, bordered by China and Russia, with a population of about 3.5 million people, nearly half of whom live in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. Once part of the Mongol Empire and later a Soviet satellite, Mongolia has undergone a rapid political and economic transformation since the 1990s. Today, it is a democratic state with a growing, resource-based economy. However, the country still faces infrastructure gaps, urban-rural inequality and a fragile health system stretched across immense distances.

In the context of public health, Mongolia has been largely spared from large-scale epidemics. HIV prevalence remains low, but that does not mean the risk is absent. For a nation often overlooked in global health discussions, Mongolia’s quiet battle against HIV is a story of early success—and urgent, unfinished business. Here is information about HIV/AIDS in Mongolia and efforts to combat it.

The Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Mongolia

Mongolia has maintained a low overall HIV prevalence, estimated at around 600 people living with HIV in 2023. Men account for a significantly larger proportion of cases than women. While the numbers remain low compared to other countries, the number of cases has been slowly increasing over time. This highlights the need for sustained prevention efforts and real awareness campaigns.

The country reports fewer than 100 AIDS-related deaths annually, a reflection of progress in raising awareness, early detection and improved access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, treatment coverage remains below international targets; approximately 39% of people living with HIV receive ART, falling short of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals aimed for 2030. Without adequate treatment, the virus risks spreading further, especially among vulnerable populations.

Key Populations Most Affected by HIV/AIDS

Sexual contact is the primary mode of transmission. Certain groups carry a disproportionate burden of HIV infection:

  • Men who have sex with men face stigma and discrimination, which discourages them from seeking timely treatment.
  • Sex workers are at higher risk due to multiple partners and inconsistent condom use, compounded by social barriers to health care.
  • Transgender people experience similar stigma, limiting their access to prevention and treatment services.
  • People who inject drugs face heightened risk due to needle sharing, with limited awareness of safe injection practices in Mongolia.

Poverty and HIV/AIDS in Mongolia

Poverty exacerbates vulnerability to HIV infection and limits access to health care services in Mongolia. Many people living in poverty, particularly in rural and ger (traditional tent) districts around Ulaanbaatar, face barriers such as transportation costs, limited health care infrastructure and social stigma. These challenges reduce access to testing and treatment, increasing the risk of undiagnosed and untreated infections.

Mongolia’s Efforts To Address HIV/AIDS

To address these challenges, Mongolia has implemented several programs focused on vulnerable populations and poverty reduction:

  • Since August 2023, the Payment-for-Results model has incentivized NGOs to increase HIV testing and outreach among key populations, linking funding to performance outcomes.
  • The Undarga microfinance program, piloted since 2010, targets women engaged in sex work, offering financial education and savings services to reduce reliance on risky income sources.
  • Mobile health clinics that have support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and international partners bring HIV testing and health care services to rural and nomadic communities, overcoming geographic and economic barriers.

Looking Ahead

Mongolia has kept HIV prevalence and AIDS-related deaths relatively low, but a slow rise in new cases, especially among impoverished and stigmatized groups, presents ongoing challenges. Addressing poverty’s role in HIV vulnerability and improving health care access through innovative programs and sustained investment will be essential for Mongolia to sustain its progress and meet international targets. With continued commitment, Mongolia can look forward to a healthier future.

–  Julia Skowrońska

Julia is based in Wrocław, Poland and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The HIV Epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

HIV Epidemic in Eastern EuropeElton John is famous for his philanthropy work, contributing to those affected by HIV/AIDS globally. He created the Elton John AIDS Foundation, whose mission is to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. People can be happy and healthy with HIV, but 15 million people are not able to receive treatment today because they are restricted in their own societies. Most new HIV infections are in marginalized groups, and these groups face abandonment, discrimination, and violence. This prolongs the AIDS epidemic by stopping people in these groups from accessing life-saving treatment and services. The Elton John AIDS Foundation challenges discrimination, prevents infections, and provides treatment for marginalized groups, while also mobilizing governments to put an end to AIDS.

What is the Elton John AIDS Foundation Doing Now?

The Foundation implemented the RADIAN initiative in 2019 to address the HIV Epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. RADIAN was conceived with the partnership of Gilead Sciences. It focused on action, investment, care, and resources to improve the quality of life of people at risk of or living with HIV in the affected region.

More recently, in 2024, the Foundation introduced RADIAN 2.0, a new initiative to better implement RADIAN’s achievements to combat the HIV Epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.  The objectives of RADIAN 2.0 are:

  • To deliver community-based services to address the unmet needs of key populations and people living with HIV.
  • To address the key drivers of the HIV epidemic, to improve the quality of life of key populations and people living with HIV, and improve HIV-related health outcomes.
  • To strengthen health systems to improve care for key populations and people living with HIV.
  • To strengthen community systems to deliver community-led care and increase access to sustainable funding.

HIV and Poverty

Some structural drivers increase the HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The term structural drivers refers to “a range of factors, acting at macro and community levels, that fundamentally shape and influence patterns of HIV risk behaviour, and facilitate or impede an individual or group’s ability to access services and/or adhere to treatment” (STRIVE Research Consortium ), according to the Foundation. These structural drivers result in stigma and discrimination experienced by key populations and people living with HIV, which negatively affects their lives. This, in turn, contributes to the risk of contracting HIV, and then AIDS, and then dying. Some structural drivers of HIV include poor healthcare access, poor education, gendered violence, stigma and discrimination, and drug use.

How Does RADIAN 2.0 Help Combat HIV/AIDS?

RADIAN 2.0 works at the macro and community levels, creating structural interventions. At the macro level, the initiative may focus on changing discriminatory policies and legislation, improving economic and social conditions, modifying cultural and religious norms and changing the legal justice and law enforcement practices.

At the community level, the initiative may focus on reducing stigma and discrimination, creating educational and economic opportunities, changing gender norms and reducing inequality and improving access to health care services, according to the Foundation.

Why is RADIAN Important?

Eastern Europe and Central Asia are regions where new HIV infections and AIDS – related deaths are rising. Out of the 21 million people living with HIV, 41% are not aware that they have HIV, and 50% are not receiving treatment, which is below global targets. RADIAN, through its partnership with Gilead Sciences, was the Elton John Foundation’s answer to this growing problem.

Until the conception of RADIAN 2.0, RADIAN has significantly impacted the HIV response. With the help of local community services, RADIAN has reached over 310,000 people with essential HIV services and linked almost 35,700 people to HIV treatment. RADIAN 2.0 will build off the accomplishments of RADIAN in order to meet the changing needs of marginalized communities.

The Future

Even though HIV is declining globally, Eastern Europe and Central Asia are one of the regions where the HIV epidemic is worsening. In this region, new HIV diagnoses increased by 20%, and AIDS related deaths increased by 34% since 2010. “Over the next five years, RADIAN 2.0 will continue to address structural drivers of the epidemic, strengthen HIV health systems, and enhance the capacities of local organizations for a lasting impact,” says Daniel O’ Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gilead Sciences. RADIAN has had a positive impact on HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It is hoped that RADIAN 2.0 will do the same.

Elton John created the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992 after losing loved ones to AIDS. He has worked to end the HIV epidemic once and for all. To put it in Elton John’s words, “All it takes is a bit more funding and a bit more understanding. All it takes is dialogue.”

– Abirame Shanthakumar

Abirame is based in Markham, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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HIV/AIDS in Estonia

HIV/AIDS in EstoniaAuthorities reported the first HIV/AIDS case in Estonia in 1988. Since then, the number of people with HIV/AIDS in Estonia has decreased, but the country is still making progress.      

What Is HIV/AIDS?

HIV/AIDs is a virus that attacks a person’s immune system and weakens it, leading to an increased number and severity of infections. People can get HIV/AIDS by having sex with someone who has it and is not receiving proper medical treatment, or by sharing needles and other drug injection equipment with someone who has HIV/AIDS and is not receiving proper medical treatment.      

Without proper treatment, HIV leads to AIDS. Without treatment, someone with AIDS lives about three years. While there is no cure for HIV, people can get antiretroviral therapy, sometimes called ART. With ART, people with HIV can live long, happy lives.      

HIV/AIDS in Estonia

Most new HIV diagnoses in Estonia are in people over the age of 40. Authorities reported that more than half of the new cases of HIV/AIDS in Estonia in people who originally came from outside the country. As of 2023, most of the people who got HIV in Estonia contracted it from heterosexual sex (sex between a woman and a man).     

The capital city of Tallinn and North-Eastern Estonia report the majority of new cases. These areas also have the highest rate of people injecting drugs in the country.      

Treatment and Prevention of HIV/AIDS in Estonia

In 1987, Estonia started biological surveillance of HIV/AIDS. The government developed and adopted the first National Program for AIDS Prevention in 1992. Since then, the government has made improvements in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS in Estonia.    

Since 2016, health care institutions provide free HIV testing, and pharmacies sell home HIV tests. Then, since 2017, family doctors in Estonia have had an unlimited budget for HIV testing. This has paid off as the number of people tested has increased since the 2000s.       

Cases of HIV/AIDS have decreased across the country. Particularly among young people. In 2001, there were 560 cases of HIV diagnosed in 15 to 19-year-olds. By 2016, doctors diagnosed only three cases among that age group.

A program of sex education that includes information about HIV/AIDS has been implemented in Estonian schools. The county has also launched multiple media campaigns focused on prompting the use of condoms and HIV testing.       

Poverty and HIV/AIDS can form a vicious cycle. Someone living in poverty is more likely to get HIV than someone who is not. The high cost of treatment can then further increase poverty. By having HIV testing be free, Estonia has addressed this problem.

Looking Ahead

The Estonian government and health organizations need to scale up HIV/AIDS testing and target it more effectively to vulnerable populations, such as sex workers and drug users. There is also a lack of proper preventative equipment, such as condoms and clean needles, within certain prisons in Estonia. However, with continued efforts to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS in Estonia, hopefully, it can become a thing of the past.

– Axtin Bullock 

Axtin is based in Georgetown, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The Impact of Global Health Equity on Poverty in Kenya

The Impact of Global Health Equity on Poverty in KenyaDespite advances in economic development, millions of Kenyans still live in poverty. In 2022, about 40% of the population lived below the poverty line and at least 32% could not afford an adequate diet. This lack of basic resources prevents many people from living stable, productive lives, despite Kenya’s economic growth. The country has historically faced major health challenges. The prevalence of endemic diseases combined with a lack of access to adequate health care has exacerbated the impact of systemic poverty in Kenya.

Progress Through Global Health Initiatives

Kenya, with a rapidly growing population, is currently home to more than 57 million people. There are still significant social disparities between the rural and urban areas, as 85% of all poor people live in rural areas, while the majority of the urban poor live in slums. Achieving global health equity requires expanding access to clinics, life-saving medicines and trained health professionals.

Over the past two decades, various global health equity initiatives have improved the health landscape in Kenya. The government, supported by international organizations, has focused on preventing and treating infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS. Programs such as PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), USAID and the World Health Organization (WHO) expanded access to clinics, medicines and trained professionals. These ongoing efforts have significantly improved health outcomes for citizens, leading to a reduction in poverty in Kenya.

Health Access and Economic Growth

Increased access to health care directly correlates with economic growth. Currently, the Kenyan economy is dominated by agriculture and informal micro-enterprises, which do not provide workers with any health coverage. Workers who cannot afford or access medical care often lose valuable workdays due to illness. Inadequate health care services exacerbate the effects of the epidemic diseases plaguing the nation. The inability to treat these diseases early on leads to increased medical costs. People suffer needlessly, children are too sick to go to school and the nation’s overall well-being and economy are affected, creating a vicious cycle of poverty in Kenya that cannot be stopped without health interventions.

HIV/AIDS: Evolution of Global Health Equity

Kenya’s efforts against HIV/AIDS offer an example of how targeted global health interventions can transform a nation’s future. In the late 1990s, HIV prevalence in Kenya was at an all-time high. By 1997, about 37% of men and 45% of women with a sexually transmitted infection also tested positive for HIV. Societal stigma and the high cost of ART limited access to treatment, while the country’s health care system struggled to manage the growing number of cases. This resulted in high mortality rates and large numbers of orphaned children.

To combat the crisis, international organizations began funding HIV relief efforts in Kenya. Groups such as PEPFAR, the Global Fund and USAID increased access to HIV testing, distributed ART and launched education campaigns. As of 2023, around 1.3 million Kenyans were receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy.

Productivity Gains and Innovations in HIV Treatment

Modern ART has led to improvements in health and productivity for people living with HIV. A significant benefit has been an increase in the country’s productivity. In two studies focusing on agricultural workers in Kenya, researchers found that workers on ART doubled the number of days they could work each month. Participants also showed a 20% increase in labor force participation and a 35% increase in hours worked. These findings demonstrate the economic value of accessible health interventions.

Dr. Ann Kurth, an epidemiologist and leader in global health systems, spoke with The Borgen Project about Kenya’s progress. “Antiretrovirals came to sub-Saharan Africa and made transformative difference,” she said. “Health system strengthening by PEPFAR funding got you 26 million lives saved. Workforce training helped community health workers screen and test people for HIV in people’s homes with oral tests. We did a lot of self-testing in Kenya. These are innovations that were not the norm, but it helped people identify if they had HIV and get treated earlier.”

Equity and Inclusion in Health Care

Despite many advancements in global health equity in Kenya, significant challenges persist. Rural areas continue to struggle with shortages of medical professionals, transportation barriers and inadequate health care infrastructure. Shifting donor priorities can also affect long-term funding. Dr. Kurth emphasized the need for gender equity in care and research. Historically, clinical trials have underrepresented women and ignored key differences in how diseases and treatments affect them. “Women have not always been represented in clinical trials. A lot of assumptions about clinical practice are based on an assumption of it being a male body. There needs to be more gender representation in research and clinical services and not think of women as just about childbearing.”

Looking Ahead

Kenya’s commitment to improving health care access offers a model for other countries facing poverty. Strategic partnerships with international organizations have saved lives, built community resilience and contributed to reducing poverty in Kenya. Continued investment in health infrastructure, gender-inclusive research and rural outreach could be essential. As Dr. Kurth concluded, “We’ve been able to see major investments in the last couple of decades… That led to incredible child survival, maternal mortality improvements, increases in income and some advances in gender equality.”

– Rafe Photopoulos

Rafe is based in Gainesville, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing HIV/AIDS in Morocco

HIV/AIDS in MoroccoThe HIV/AIDS epidemic in Morocco has had life-changing consequences for communities all over the world. International leaders have made significant progress over the past 30 years in improving awareness of the disease and accessibility to treatment, but countries must still take substantial action to fully eradicate it. Morocco has taken large strides towards this, launching various campaigns to do so. However, the extreme levels of poverty that the country is facing are forcing its residents into lifestyles that intensify their risk of contracting the disease, while the government’s lack of economic stability means prevention and treatment schemes are difficult to enact. Without U.S. support, the country lacks many resources which would be indispensable to its fight against HIV/AIDS in Morocco.

The Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Morocco

As of 2024, the number of people living with HIV in Morocco stands at 23,000. About 5.9% of HIV/AIDS cases are men who engage in sexual relationships with other men (MSM), 7.1% are drug users and 2.3% are sex workers. The socio-political climate of Morocco still subjects these populations to extreme levels of discrimination, which often prevents them from seeking treatment. Additionally, 9% of Morocco’s population live currently in poverty. These difficult conditions, alongside the prevalence of sex tourism and human trafficking, mean there are an estimated 4.3 million sex workers living in Morocco, 2.3% of whom (knowingly) suffer from HIV.

The prevalence of drug users is also intertwined with national poverty, with economic stress forcing many to turn to substance abuse as a form of relief. The country’s lack of free health care also stands as a barrier to impoverished individuals accessing diagnoses and treatment, further increasing the risk of infection for those affected. Offering schemes to help alleviate the pressure of national poverty may prevent those it affects from turning to high-risk modes of employment and dangerous drug use, while making treatment accessible to those unable to afford healthcare bills. 

Breaking Down the Stigma

In comparison to other Middle Eastern and North African countries, the rate of HIV/AIDS among the population is relatively low. This is due to Morocco’s unmatched ability in implementing testing, diagnoses and treatment programs within its vulnerable communities. 

Thanks to the introduction of self-testing methods, the population now have access to a more discreet method of diagnosis. However, hospitals must still confirm tests offering positive results, limiting their anonymity and leading to a relatively low use rate.

Morocco’s ban on homosexuality, sex work and injection drugs, alongside general societal disapproval, means that many people who engage in these activities do not attempt to seek treatment for HIV/AIDS. 

In 2024 at the Taragalte Festival, Moroccan artist OUM announced that she would be ascending to the role of National Goodwill Ambassador in Morocco for UNAIDS. As a popular artist and social influencer, OUM’s work in spreading awareness and encouraging education about HIV prevention will be vital in breaking down the intense stigma surrounding the illness. UNAIDS foresaw that OUM’s efforts in erasing negative narratives via her public influence would improve access to HIV/AIDS preventative knowledge, diagnoses and treatment, particularly among high-risk communities in Morocco.

The US’s Impact

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a campaign aimed at controlling the international HIV/AIDS epidemic, does not currently practice in Morocco. This means the country does not have access to U.S. funded resources that could have a significant impact on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and, due to the nation’s lower economic status, could not be financed by only their government. PEPFAR supports communities most vulnerable to the illness and with high-risk populations making up the majority of diagnoses in Morocco, the U.S. Department of State’s assistance could offer profound assistance in curbing the epidemic where it is most rife. 

HIV/AIDS in Morocco is preventable. Governmental strategies to combat the disease and its often poverty-rooted causes are already having a profound impact on decreasing its prevalence in the country. However, the epidemic requires further action to achieve total eradication. Reducing societal stigma is an important aspect of making treatment more accessible, but assisting those in poverty, through Moroccan and U.S. funded support, to obtain affordable healthcare schemes and engage in lower-risk lifestyles is by far the most crucial method of ending HIV/AIDS in Morocco for good.

– Amabel Smith

Amabel is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Combating HIV in Ivory Coast

HIV in Ivory CoastIvory Coast, officially the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, is a country of around 31 million people on the southern coast of West Africa. Though now a sovereign state, Ivory Coast is a former French colony; this region is where researchers say humans began contracting retroviruses. While Ivory Coast has made progress in managing the epidemic, the country remains one of the most affected by HIV in West Africa. People in this region are still in dire need of testing, treatment and prevention resources.

Facts About HIV in Ivory Coast

  • Around 2% of people in Ivory Coast are living with HIV. However, a quarter of this population is estimated to be undiagnosed.
  • The Rate of HIV in Ivory Coast has steadily declined within the past decade, declining from 4.5% in 2006 to 2.7% in 2014.
  • Women experience higher rates of HIV than men.
  • There is a high proportion of invasive cervical cancer related to HIV.
  • Sexual transmission is the primary mode of HIV infection but transmission through breastfeeding remains a significant issue.
  • Coinfection of HIV with other human retroviruses, such as Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and hepatitis viruses B, C and delta, is common in Ivory Coast. However, these coinfections are often inadequately managed, with many patients remaining undiagnosed.
  • About 94% of people receiving HIV treatment in Ivory Coast have achieved viral suppression, but access to testing and treatment remains limited.

What’s Being Done

In efforts to support individuals living with HIV and bolster overall public health, humanitarian organizations and individuals alike have initiated programs in the Ivory Coast to aid the epidemic:

  • The Center for Solidarity and Social Action (CSAS). CSAS was founded in 1995 in Bouaké to promote a better quality of life for people living with HIV, including children and young people. At the time, the organization had the first program dedicated to children and teenagers living with HIV. While the initiative initially offered psychological support, in the present day, CSAS uses medical treatment for patients.

    The organization offers help with the management of STIs, HIV/AIDS screening tests, management of opportunistic infections and access to care and prescriptions. CSAS also leads the PRESERV project, working to improve access to reproductive health and HIV services for young people and vulnerable groups.
  • The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS). UNAIDS, a United Nations (U.N.) organization, was established in 1994 to strengthen responses to HIV epidemics on a systematic scale. It aims to head the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

In Ivory Coast, the program uses educational initiatives to promote HIV prevention and sexual health to support communities. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNAIDS partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide food and hygiene kits to needy mothers. This partnership seeks to support vulnerable pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially those affected by HIV.

Challenges remain in the prevention and treatment of HIV in Ivory Coast. Nonetheless, the progress achieved through these initiatives highlights civilian organizations’ impact on crisis response when given sufficient support. A maintained emphasis on education, contraception and access to medical care can be effective ways of continuing to rectify HIV.

– Erin Hellhake

Erin is based in Old Bridge, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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How USAID Programs in Russia Have Addressed HIV/AIDS and TB

USAID Programs in RussiaAs the U.S. government considers further cuts to international assistance, USAID programs in Russia can show what the U.S. can accomplish when it comes to combating disease and poverty. However, it also can be a cautionary tale of what can happen to a country’s most vulnerable when USAID programs are suddenly cut without an adequate replacement. 

Starting in 1992, after the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States began a robust program of assistance to the new Russian Federation starting with the Freedom Support Act authorizing USAID to begin work in Russia. USAID programs in Russia included initiatives to assist with democratic reform, market assistance, anti-corruption programs, but mostly important disease eradication.

USAID’s Fight Against TB and HIV/AIDS in Russia

USAID programs in Russia fought both tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Starting in 1999, USAID began to focus specifically on drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), which had become a major issue in the former Soviet Union, especially in Russia. According to William B. Taylor, coordinator of U.S. assistance to Newly Independent States, in 1999, USAID was critical to coordinating between Russian authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Red Cross to combat TB, starting in three provinces and then the rest of Russia. Additionally, USAID also helped provide more than $200 million in critical medical supplies.

By 1999, the spike of TB incidence finally ended and began to decline through the early 2010s. TB mortality rates also declined and experts attributed much of this progress to early detection and prevention programs in Russia. 

Additionally, USAID was instrumental in fighting HIV/AIDS in Russia on several levels; increasing coordination between Russian and American biomedical researchers, assisting with vaccine development, infection prevention, treatment and increasing awareness among Russian business and civic leaders. In 2010, USAID funded the HIV Prevention for At-Risk Populations in Russia program, which treated thousands in the city of Kazan alone.

The Current Situation

According to former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, “Over the last twenty years, the USAID Mission in Russia has worked with Russian government officials and Russian non-governmental organizations to achieve a remarkable record of success.” However, in 2012, due to rising tensions between the Russian and U.S. governments, Vladimir Putin ordered USAID to cease its operations in Russia.

The Russian government argued that Russian society had moved past the need for external aid. In reality, living conditions in Russia have continued to be extremely difficult. By 2018, Russia became the third-highest country for TB infection, largely due to its inability to follow WHO guidelines.

The Russian Red Cross had to end five different programs dedicated to fighting TB since it received funding from USAID. That being said, thanks to continued funding and cooperation with other international organizations, TB mortality and incidence rate continues to modestly decline, despite setbacks. However, much of the progress in fighting HIV/AIDS in Russia has suffered major reversals. By 2017, Russia had the largest number of HIV-positive individuals in Europe. As of 2024, 30,000 Russians annually are estimated to have died from HIV/AIDS.

Looking Ahead

The history of USAID programs in Russia highlights the danger of suddenly turning off humanitarian aid. In 2025, freezes of USAID funding in places like Ukraine have threatened HIV treatment, endangering more than 116,000 people. However, that history also serves as an encouragement of what is possible with U.S. support.

– Joseph Laughon

Joseph is based in Sacramento, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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The Decline of HIV/AIDs in Myanmar

HIVAIDs in MyanmarMyanmar, formerly known as Burma, is one of 35 countries where 90% of HIV infections occur worldwide. As of 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that Myanmar accounted for 224,026 HIV/AIDS cases, or 0.54% globally. This, though still considered prevalent, has declined at a steady pace. The new efforts began in 2016, with tremendous success resulting in the current year to lessen the effects of HIV/AIDS in Myanmar.

What Is Going On?

Myanmar has experienced ongoing civil conflict since gaining independence from British rule in 1948, with numerous constitutional changes ultimately leading to the establishment of a military-led (Junta) state. In 2021, the country descended into full-blown civil war after the military disputed the results of a general election in which the National League for Democracy won a majority. Claiming electoral fraud, the military carried out a coup, detaining elected leaders and seizing control of the government. Since then, the conflict has escalated and continues to this day.

The majority of Myanmar’s citizens support the pro-democracy resistance against the Junta, and that support has made an impact. Despite initiating the conflict, the military has gradually lost ground to opposition forces.

Poverty Rates

Before the civil conflict, Myanmar had a small but growing middle class, and the economy experienced rapid growth throughout the 20th century. However, in the 21st century, shifting government policies and international sanctions slowed this progress. Poverty is growing at an alarming rate. Today, nearly half of the Burmese population lives below the poverty line. This sharp rise in poverty has directly contributed to a range of serious health issues across the country. On top of these challenges, Myanmar follows an “out-of-pocket” healthcare system, which means individuals must cover their medical expenses themselves, making it even harder for those living in poverty to access the care they need.

Because the country is experiencing division and conflict, it has become nearly impossible for many Burmese people to afford or access proper health care. The ongoing unrest has made it even harder for everyday citizens to get the medical help they need. This shows just how urgent the need is for support, whether from the government or international aid organizations. While HIV/AIDS is already a serious health issue in Myanmar, it is not the only one. As poverty increases and the civil crisis continues, more and more diseases are beginning to spread, putting vulnerable communities at even greater risk.

What Is Stopping the End of HIV/AIDS in Myanmar?

Among those infected, 41% are female sex workers, 31% are queer men and 28% are people who inject drugs. Because of the criminalization of sex work, homosexuality and drug usage, many people with HIV/AIDS are scared to accept treatment. The Aids Datahub found that 7% of individuals who avoided going to treatment clinics were scared of punishment and the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.

If a person is found “guilty” of homosexuality, they can be sentenced to up to 10 years of prison. An individual found guilty of soliciting can serve up to 6 years in prison. Lastly, Myanmar is the leading source of opium and heroin, two injectable substances. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) predicts that up to 90,000 Burmese people inject drugs, or about 0.23%.

The UNODC has also found that overall drug use has declined steadily from 2020 to 2024. Programs that are working to limit drug use or encourage “safer” drug use in high usage areas in Southeast Asian countries (Myanmar, China and Bangladesh) are helping to reduce the usage of injectable drugs and the number of new HIV/AIDS infections in Myanmar.

What Is Going Right?

This downward trend is largely due to a renewed national HIV response strategy launched in 2016. These efforts focused on expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), improving testing and counseling services and targeting high-risk populations through community-based outreach. By 2023, more than three-quarters of people living with HIV in Myanmar were receiving treatment, marking a major public health achievement despite ongoing political and social challenges.

Despite civil war breaking out in 2021, efforts to maintain access to antiretroviral treatment to minimize HIV/AIDS in Myanmar remain strong. According to the AIDS Data Hub, new infections have declined to fewer than 10,000 per year. Of the 280,000 suspected cases, 216,757 have been confirmed. All confirmed individuals are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Beginning in July 2020, Myanmar introduced Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), where people routinely take ART to reduce the chances of getting HIV. It is still implementing this preventative measure today. Many foreign aid programs, such as USAID, the Global Fund and the National AIDS program, are funding access to PrEP.

What to Takeaway?

Despite ongoing conflict and growing poverty within the country, national and international efforts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in Myanmar remain strong. The number of new infections continues to decline annually, bringing the country closer to the global 2030 goal of eliminating new HIV cases. Access to treatment has significantly improved, with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) available to all individuals who seek it, regardless of background or risk group. 

– Abby Buchan

Abby is based in York, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Fight Against HIV/AIDS in Fiji 

HIVAIDS in FijiFiji, an archipelago made up of 300 islands and 540 islets in the Pacific Ocean, has declared an HIV outbreak after the alarming spike in cases over the last few years. According to experts, “since the first reported case in 1989, HIV-1 incidence in Fiji has increased by about tenfold, from 0.7 per 100,000 in 2000 to 7 per 100,000 in 2021. While this increase is largely due to improved diagnostic capacity, it is also suspected to reflect a growing epidemic.” Here is more information about HIV/AIDS in Fiji.

Causes

The Fijian Health Ministry credits the rise in HIV/AIDS cases in Fiji to illegal drug usage. There are two particular practices that are said to have caused the spike in cases, which are “bluetoothing” and “chem-sex.” However, others believe that the rise of cases is due to the lack of funding and research in HIV/AIDS as a whole. According to an EastAsiaForum article, “before 2012, they used a combination prevention approach to HIV. Funding had ramped up in 2008 through the HIV and STIs Regional Response Fund… [but] in 2013, the HIV Regional Response funding ended.” This may have played a significant role in the spike of HIV/AIDS cases in the Fijian Islands. 

Financial Implications

The HIV/AIDS outbreak has not only severely impacted the health of Fijians but also their finances and quality of life. Fiji’s increasing rates of urbanization, which have caused homelessness and unemployment, have also contributed to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Fiji. Additionally, a large part of Fiji’s economy is reliant upon tourism, as they are still recovering from COVID-19. A reputation hit that could come from this outbreak would be detrimental to the Fijian economy, which would likely make the spread even worse, as it is disproportionately affecting those who are economically struggling.

Responses to the Spike

In January 2025, Fiji announced a 90-day containment plan that will guide the nation’s AIDS response until 2027. This is the start of the prioritization of HIV research in Fiji and helping the most vulnerable among the population get the treatment they need. However, there is still the underlying concern that some people who are HIV positive in Fiji are not aware of their status, and those who are too afraid to receive the care that they need due to prejudice and the stigmatization of the condition. Minister Lalabalavu, the minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji, says that “discrimination and stigma will only serve to make our current situation worse.”

In order to combat this, there are many movements to increase education on HIV/AIDS in hopes of increasing knowledge and reducing stigma, such as the HIV Surge Strategy 2024-2027 that the Fijian government has endorsed. The focus of the strategy is based on intersecting issues that contribute to the rise in HIV cases, such as prevention, treatment, harm reduction, human rights and social justice. Additionally, it plans on coordinating public health responses due to the presence of hard drugs within the Fijian community.

Government Intervention

UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Jan Beagle said, “The most effective results can only be achieved through partnership across sectors, through strong leadership, and with community at the center. By taking AIDS out of isolation, the impact can go far beyond the AIDS response.” Displaying that this issue has become a government issue, and due to this the government has given Fijian $FJ200,000 for its HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Programme, a program that targets the prevention of drug use in underprivileged communities as well as destigmatizing testing centers and HIV itself, in the 2023-2024 budget and is only adding more every year to combat this crisis.

Looking Ahead

While the outbreak of HIV/AIDS in Fiji has extremely affected the country’s population, the increasing awareness towards this issue has allowed them to fight back and take control over their health. However, it is still important to continue raising awareness towards this topic. HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects Fijians that come from low-income communities, and the lack of knowledge has made the spread worse. Therefore, continued efforts are essential to ensuring that these people get the education and support they need to slow the spread. 

– Sydney Carr

Sydney is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Mobile Clinics in Kenya Bring Health Care to the Masai Village

Mobile medical care in kenyaLocated on the east coast of Africa, Kenya is a country of mountains, lakes, savannahs and the Great Rift Valley. With more than 50 million people, Kenya is expected to see a 51% population increase in the next 25 years. Despite this steady growth, the country’s life expectancy remains 66 years—about five years below the global average. HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis are the leading causes of death in Kenya. To curb the spread of these diseases, local governments and organizations have introduced mobile medical care to improve access to health screenings, treatments and health care services.

Targeting HIV/AIDS

A global health issue, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurring when the virus advances. More than 40 million people have died of HIV/AIDS globally.

In August 2024, the Military Health and Research Program (MHRP) reported collaborating with local government entities to bring HIV preventative measures and treatment to Masai village in Kenya’s South Rift Valley Region. To bring care to this rural area, the MHRP developed a mobile clinic that could get health care to those who could not access it otherwise.

Utilizing funding from the United States of America’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the mobile clinic in Kenya provides patients with HIV testing, preventative education and antiretroviral therapies for those who test positive.

Fighting Tuberculosis

In addition to providing HIV/AIDS treatment, mobile clinics in Kenya also focus on tuberculosis, the leading cause of death among men in the country. This infectious, airborne disease claimed more than one million lives in 2023 alone. Babies, children, malnourished individuals and people with diabetes face a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis. While the disease is both preventable and treatable, many lack access to education about prevention and treatment. Mobile clinics in Kenya are working to bridge this gap and improve health care access.

Before the arrival of the mobile clinic in Masai village, individuals infected with tuberculosis were treated in Tanzania, where there were no closer resources. The MHRP reports that treatment took six months and if an individual died in Tanzania, they were left there. Since the mobile clinic arrived, Masai village had seen no tuberculosis-related deaths for more than a year at the time of the report.

Maurice’s Account

In 2023, the Henry M. Jackson Foundation Medical Research International (HJFMRI) spoke to an individual from Masai village. Maurice, the individual living in the town, acknowledges the benefits of mobile clinics. He explains to HJFMRI that those sent to Tanzania for treatment before the mobile clinics had to walk there on an eight-day trek. Maurice says he and the others from his village are “so happy” and “grateful” for the PEPFAR initiative that allowed the mobile clinics.

Beyond Masai Village

Mobile clinics in Kenya extend well beyond Masai village. CURE, Kenya’s children’s hospital, operates multiple mobile clinics nationwide, bringing health care directly to people where they “work, live and play.” Mobile clinics give health care access to individuals who otherwise have little to none. With funding from PEPFAR and the efforts of MHRP, local governments and other private agencies, mobile clinics bring care to many people in Kenya and work to combat the global health issues of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

– Hannah Pacheco

Hannah is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr