Brazil Meets Criteria to Eliminate Mother-to-Child HIV as AIDS Deaths Hit Record Low

Overview

• Official data show 39,216 HIV detections in 2024 (up from 38,222 in 2023), 36,955 AIDS cases (down 1.5%), and 9,157 deaths (down 12.8% to the lowest rate on record).
• The Health Ministry says Brazil satisfied international thresholds to eliminate vertical HIV transmission as a public‑health problem, with formal WHO recognition under review.
• For the first time, the government published a cumulative estimate of the epidemic, tallying 1,679,622 people diagnosed since 1980 after integrating national databases.
• Prevention efforts expanded with about 140,000 people on PrEP, 6.5 million HIV/syphilis duo tests and 780,000 self‑tests distributed, and the minister pressing for registration and technology transfer to secure access to long‑acting PrEP (lenacapavir).
• Dezembro Vermelho mobilizations in cities such as Manaus, São Paulo, Brasília and Maceió offer free testing, PrEP/PEP and outreach as the bulletin underscores persistent regional, racial and age disparities and gaps in timely diagnosis and maternal‑infant care.