Global HIV/AIDS

Global HIV/AIDS at CDC - Our Story

CDC plays a unique role in the fight against global HIV/AIDS

Global HIV/AIDS
Today, an estimated 34 million people worldwide live with HIV/AIDS, with more than two-thirds living in developing countries. Nearly three-fourths of the 2.7 million new HIV infections in 2010 occurred in these countries.

CDC’s Role
CDC provides support to over 75 countries (see map) to strengthen their national HIV/AIDS programs and build sustainable public health systems through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Public Health Impact
CDC uses science to save lives and, through PEPFAR, has helped support: ^(*)

Life-saving antiretroviral drug treatment for more than 3.9 million people (as of September 30, 2011)
HIV testing and counseling for more than 9.8 million pregnant women
Antiretroviral drug prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission for more than 660,000 HIV-positive pregnant women, allowing approximately 200,000 infants to be born HIV-free
Care and support for nearly 13 million people, including more than 4.1 million orphans and vulnerable children
HIV counseling and testing for more than 40 million people, providing a critical entry point to prevention, treatment, and care

^(*)Fiscal year 2011 unless otherwise indicated

Download our Overview Fact Sheet.

As the U.S. science-based public health and disease prevention agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plays an essential role in implementing the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR is the cornerstone of the U.S. Global Health Initiative.

CDC uses its technical expertise in public health science and long-standing relationships with Ministries of Health across the globe to work side-by-side with countries to build strong national programs and sustainable public health systems that can respond effectively to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and to other diseases that threaten the health and prosperity of the global community at large.

Ensuring global health strengthens U.S. health, economic, and national security. Improving the health of people in developing countries also impacts the productivity and political stability of those nations. This results in a safer, more prosperous, and secure world community that benefits Americans at home and abroad.

CDC Global HIV/AIDS Milestones on the Path to an AIDS-Free Generation

Unmatched scientific and technical expertise

With over 60 years of expertise in epidemiology, surveillance, laboratory systems, and public health services, CDC works with Ministries of Health to strengthen their national HIV/AIDS programs by:

Leveraging CDC’s science and technical expertise to conduct research and translate findings into innovative programs and to assist countries in building capacity for data-driven decision making that maximizes disease impact and cost effectiveness.
Establishing and strengthening public health systems and services including high quality laboratories and surveillance systems for rapid detection and response to HIV and other emerging global health threats.

Critical leadership for transitioning sustainable programs to country ownership

CDC works side-by-side with Ministries of Health in 43 countries to build their capacity to lead and manage their national HIV/AIDS programs by:

Providing direct technical assistance and knowledge transfer through long standing relationships with Ministries of Health. This in-country presence has resulted in increased performance, capacity development, country ownership, and public health impact.
Building a trained local workforce through daily mentoring to nearly 1,000 locally employed staff by CDC’s highly trained clinicians, epidemiologists, public health advisors, health scientists, and laboratory scientists. CDC also provides training programs and funding to local educational institutions to establish a pipeline of qualified, well-trained public health professionals.