The epidemiological situation of morbidity and mortality on HIV / AIDS cases in Poland and globally in recent years

Abstract

Aim:

The aim of this review is to summarize the data on the morbidity and mortality of HIV / AIDS in the years 2000-2020 in Poland and in the world. As a result of continuous insufficient diagnostics, still millions of people are not aware of the disease, which often results in regions or countries with a significantly increased incidence. We were looking for information about the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the production, distribution, and prices. Availability of drugs, especially in middle and low income countries, was also examined.

Materials and methods:

PubMed databases and statistics from the National Institute of Public Health (NIZP- PZH) and global data from the websites of WHO, UNAIDS - Global HIV & AIDS statistics and HIV.gov were searched in June and July 2020. The UNAIDS 90-90-90 program was also assessed. This programme was run until 2020. In the PubMed database, we used medical terms "hiv", "aids", "hiv / aids". No language restrictions were added.

Conclusion:

UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic shows that 2020 targets will not be met because of deeply unequal success; COVID-19 risks blowing HIV progress way off course. Missed targets have resulted in 3.5 million more HIV infections and 820 000 more AIDS-related deaths since 2015 than if the world was on track to meet the 2020 targets. In addition, the response could be set back further, by 10 years or more, if the COVID-19 pandemic results in severe disruptions to HIV services. Currently, the world is plunged into the fight against COVID-19 and people are forgetting that the HIV pandemic also carries a large number of deaths. Nevertheless, the spread of both viruses is different and in developed countries the possibility of significant spread of HIV is much lower than in poor countries. The spread of Sars-Cov2 virus is much more difficult to control. Although the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 for people with HIV is not known, people with HIV may have concerns and questions related to their risk. COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted the AIDS response and could disrupt it more. Progress in prevention of HIV transmission remains too slow and the estimated total number of new infections in 2019 is more than three times higher than the UNAIDS 2020 target. Despite advances in the scientific understanding of HIV and its prevention and treatment, and many years of significant efforts by the global health community and governmental and community organizations, too many HIV-positive people still lack access to prevention, care and treatment. There is still no cure for everybody with HIV / AIDS. Moreover, the HIV epidemic not only affects human health, but also strikes households, communities, and the development and economic growth of nations.