Since July 2024, AHF added over 500,000 individuals into its global lifeboat of HIV/AIDS care
LOS ANGELES (Sept. 2, 2025) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV/AIDS organization, is honored to announce another landmark milestone: AHF now has more than 2.5 million lives in care, providing lifesaving HIV prevention, care, and treatment services in 49 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Remarkably, AHF added 500,000 individuals in just the past year—a welcome similar benchmark that previously took AHF over three years to achieve.
“When we began, I never imagined AHF would touch two-and-a-half million lives. This milestone, born of our staff’s courage and our patients’ trust, demands recognition today. As George Bernard Shaw said, ‘You see things; and say, Why? But I dream of things that never were; and I say, Why not?’ Our dream—delivering exceptional care to all—has become reality,” said AHF President and Co-founder Michael Weinstein. “AHF remained true to our principles, proving hope can shine in an increasingly challenging world. Yet, our journey continues. AHF is tackling STIs, hunger, homelessness, and the global HIV epidemic with relentless resolve. I’m deeply honored to serve alongside our extraordinary AHF team.”
What began as a small, community-based hospice in Los Angeles at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1987 has grown into the largest global AIDS organization with more than 8,100 employees worldwide. AHF has remained steadfast in its mission to provide cutting-edge medicine and advocacy regardless of ability to pay. Today, that mission touches millions of lives each day in clinics, hospitals, and communities worldwide.
“When we launched our first global programs in South Africa and Uganda in 2002, serving 100 clients in each country, we could never have fathomed expanding to 13 more African countries and caring for 1.3 million lives across the continent,” said Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF’s Africa Bureau Chief. “Building on years of advocacy and innovation, AHF Africa now delivers programs that go beyond clinical care to include community-led prevention, equitable access strategies, and pandemic preparedness. These successes reflect the deep collaboration with government and civil society partners that has enabled us to reach the most marginalized, advance equity, and ensure no one is left behind.”
Despite progress, the global HIV crisis is far from over. According to UNAIDS, nearly 41 million people were living with HIV in 2024, including 1.4 million children. Women and girls account for 53% of all people living with HIV. An estimated 630,000 people died from AIDS-related causes in 2024, roughly one death every minute. And while millions of people are accessing lifesaving antiretroviral therapy to treat HIV, millions more still desperately need it.
“Over the past year, we’ve added as many lives in care – 500,000 – as it previously took us three-and-a-half years to reach. This latest historical milestone comes at a time when the global HIV response continues to face challenges—from funding gaps to declining condom use and growing treatment inequities,” said Dr. Carl Millner, AHF Chief of Medicine/United States. “AHF’s approach demonstrates what is possible when communities, governments, and civil society work together with urgency and compassion. Our programs not only help clients live longer, healthier lives, but also strengthen families and communities by ensuring sustained access to treatment, prevention, and advocacy that supports our clients in the U.S. and around the world.”
AHF Lives in Care/Treatment Milestones:
- 2.5 million lives in care, August 5, 2025
- 2 million lives in care, July 22, 2024
- 5 million lives in care, December 1, 2020
- 1 million lives in care, October 1, 2018
- 500,000 lives in care, November 13, 2015
- 250,000 lives in care, November 27, 2013
- 100,000 lives in care, April 15, 2009
See inspirational images from past AHF events, campaigns and celebrations at the official AHF Flickr page, and follow AHF on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X to see all the country teams in action worldwide.
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