World AIDS Day presents a moment to remember more than 40 million people who lost their lives to AIDS over the past 41 years, with research suggesting optimism that HIV could be eradicated in Australia.
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There were 552 new HIV diagnoses in 2021 in Australia, the lowest number since the beginning of the epidemic, according to the most recent Australian annual statistics.
HIV is not the same as AIDS. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS. However, with highly effective HIV treatments now available, AIDS is extremely rare in Australia.
The Federal Government announced on December 1 the establishment of a taskforce to drive the end of HIV transmission in Australia that will be headed by health minister Mark Butler and assistant health minister Ged Kearney.
In addition, one-off funding of $220,000 to the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations will boost community consultation activities targeting the health issues and barriers LGBTIQ+ Australians face.
Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations chief executive Darryl O'Donnell said Australia was well positioned to end HIV transmission.
"Australia is on the path to an astonishing achievement, virtual elimination of HIV transmission. Today's announcement by minister Butler reinforces that momentum, which can only accelerate through additional investment and commitment at the May Budget," Mr O'Donnell said.
"The only barriers to ending HIV transmission are the ones humanity imposes upon itself," he said.
"Stigma and short sightedness are our greatest enemy, while co-operation, evidence and empathy can power our progress."
People who are being treated for HIV and who achieve and maintain very low or undetectable levels of the virus cannot transmit HIV sexually.
Infectious diseases doctor and researcher at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Dr Jillian Lau said Australia is a world leader in HIV management.
"Historically we have a great relationship between researchers, policy makers and people living with HIV in Australia," she said.
UNAIDS, the United Nations body for coordinated global action on the HIV/AIDS pandemic, had set targets for 2020 known as '90-90-90'.
These targets aimed for 90 per cent of all people living with HIV to know their HIV status, 90 per cent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection to be receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 90 per cent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy and have viral suppression.
"We've achieved these targets and in Australia 97 per cent of people we have on treatment have an undetectable viral load," Dr Lau said.
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Dr Lau is confident Australia will see a future in which HIV transmission is eradicated.
"We set ourselves ambitious targets, and we achieved them. The challenge we're addressing now is the people we're missing, with messaging and testing and with getting people on to treatment," she said.
"I do believe getting down to zero transmissions is certainly possible with the infrastructure, resources, community advocacy and collaborative nature of the Australian HIV movement."
The World's largest scientific conference on HIV will be held in Brisbane in 2023.
