25 years of HIV/AIDS research and activism
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has made inimitable contributions to the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. At the forefront of its efforts has been the Centre for Integrated Data and Epidemiological Research (CIDER). On 5 December, UCT colleagues, as well as representatives from the health services, non-profit organisations and various research groups gathered to reflect on and celebrate the centre’s achievements.
At the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, HIV was spreading and developing into AIDS at such a rapid rate that it was predicted to become the cause of more deaths than any other disease in history.
Over the past 25 years, however, the world has seen a steady decline in new incidences of HIV infections and deaths from AIDs-related illnesses. Between 1995 and 2023, the world saw a 61% reduction in the number of new HIV infections worldwide, while deaths decreased by 70% between 2004 and 2023.
These improvements are due to the development of both antiretrovirals (ARVs), effective treatment practices and public health policies globally – activities to which UCT and CIDER have made substantial contributions.