This indicator measures progress toward ending the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, one of the key targets of the Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas 2018–2030, and is supported through PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative. 

Since the 2017 baseline, when the incidence rate was 0.19 cases per 1000 population, the HIV incidence rate in the Region has decreased through 2024 at an average annual rate of 2.1%. Despite this decline, estimated HIV incidence in 2024 remained at 0.16 cases per 1000 population, above the 2025 target of 0.05 infections per 1000 population. Therefore, progress on this indicator is considered to be stagnating. Declining trends in country-level HIV incidence rates have been observed primarily in North America, Brazil, and the Caribbean, while rates in Latin America (excluding Brazil) have either increased or stagnated. 

Barriers in access to HIV diagnosis and treatment, together with the limited expansion of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), continue to hinder progress in reducing new HIV infections. The proportion of people in Latin America and the Caribbean who know their HIV status, receive appropriate treatment, and achieve sustained virological suppression has increased; however, it remains below the established HIV care cascade targets (95% of people with HIV know their status, 95% of those who know their status receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have suppressed viral loads), at 86%, 71%, and 66%, respectively. 

Coverage of PrEP increased from 35 000 people in 2020 to 287 000 in 2024, reaching approximately 12% of the population at higher risk of HIV infection. Expanded coverage of HIV care and prevention services is likely contributing to reductions in new HIV infections. However, further expansion will be needed to accelerate progress toward HIV elimination goals, particularly as this indicator will continue to be monitored under the PAHO Strategic Plan 2026–2031.