The Ministry of Health has shared the latest estimates of the number of people who are aware of their HIV diagnosis in Spain. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Carlos III Health Institute, estimates that the number of undiagnosed people with HIV has almost halved (-42.3%) in the last four years: from 13% to 7.5%. This development puts the rate of people diagnosed with HIV at 92.5% and puts Spain on track to reach the 95% target set by the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda.
According to the latest data published by the Carlos III Health Institute in coordination with the Ministry of Health, 92.5% of people living with HIV in Spain are aware of their infection diagnosis, 96.6% are receiving antiretroviral treatment and 90.4% have suppressed viral load.
The decrease in the undiagnosed fraction is the most significant development in this report. This rate is currently estimated at 7.5% in the period 2021-2022, compared to an estimated 13% in the period 2017-2019.
The UN Aids Programme (UNAIDS) set a target for ending HIV infection as a public health problem so that by 2020, 90% of people with HIV infection should be diagnosed, 90% of them on antiretroviral treatment and 90% of these people should have suppressed viral load. This 90-90-90 target is extended to 95-95-95 to be achieved by 2030, as part of goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Spain is aligned with these global targets and makes regular estimates of progress on these three indicators.
The importance of early diagnosis
HIV infection has no symptoms until its later stages, so a person can be infected and not know it. Early diagnosis of HIV infection is vital to enable a person to receive early antiretroviral treatment, thereby improving their quality of life and helping to break the chain of transmission. HIV testing is the best way to reduce the undiagnosed fraction.
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