Communities make an invaluable contribution to the AIDS response. Communities of people living with HIV, of key populations—gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, sex workers, transgender people and prisoners—and of women and young people lead and support the delivery of HIV services, defend human rights, support their peers. Communities are the lifeblood of an effective AIDS response and an important pillar of support. World AIDS Day 2019 theme — Communities make the difference

NOTE: The paper on “What is a Community-led Organization” will be posted following the consideration of the outcome of the work of the Task Team convened by the PCB at its 43rd and 45th sessions.

The HIV response in Latin America is predominantly funded with domestic resources. However, there has been insufficient domestic investment in programming for key populations, including the expansion of prevention services for gay men and other men who have sex with men, female sex workers and transgender people. In the countries that are heavily dependent on international donor funding, rapid decreases in such resources threaten the sustainability of these programmes.

In 2018: 54% of new HIV infections were among key populations and their sexual partners, 40% decrease in new HIV infections since the peak in 1997, 37.9 million people living with HIV in the world, 1 700 000 children living with HIV (under 15 years)

This high-income region appears to be on track to meet the 90–90–90 targets. However, efforts to prevent HIV infections have not achieved sufficient impact.

There have been welcome decreases in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in the region. However, efforts to expand treatment coverage have stalled. Many people living with HIV are diagnosed several years after they acquire the virus. Policies and strategies are needed to reach these people sooner.