BioScience Trends. 2018;12(5):507-509. (DOI: 10.5582/bst.2018.01269)

HIV/AIDS responses in China should focus on the impact of global integration.

Tang Q, Lu HZ

China has made substantial progress in tackling its Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, however, the number of people living with HIV / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continues to increase, with the number of all-cause deaths rising. There are a total 75.6 million people living with HIV and 2.39 million people newly infected with HIV as of December 31, 2017 in China. Besides, while the number of new HIV infections continued to decline in 2017 globally, the data from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) show steady increases in new HIV infections in China. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of new HIV infections in China from 2012 to 2017 was 10.29%, and the CAGR of AIDS-related deaths was 5.92%. Moreover, there was a sudden increase in new HIV infections in China from January 2018, showing the compound monthly growth rate (CMGR) of 2018 increased by 9.92% compared to 2017. Given the advance of globalization, it is increasingly important to focus on the impact of global integration for HIV/AIDS responses, facing the increasing challenge of key affected populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM), young people and older people. Certainly, comprehensive strategies for prevention, drug treatment, and even functional cure will also be crucial for curbing the HIV epidemic in China in the new era.

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