The Ministry of Health says the incidence of HIV in Russia has decreased by 50 percent

The number of new cases of HIV infection over the past ten years has decreased from 59.2 cases per 100 thousand people to 29.1. In 2025, almost 39 percent of Russians were examined for the presence of infection. Thanks to new approaches to prevention, transmission of the disease from mother to baby has almost completely been eliminated. And more and more patients are receiving modern and effective medications. The Parliamentary Newspaper found out the details.

Safe behavior

Thanks to the adopted state strategy to counter the spread of HIV infection until 2030, the situation is improving, said Deputy Head of the Ministry of Health Andrei Plutnitsky at a meeting of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection on April 15. According to him, during his work it was possible to significantly reduce the number of new cases of infection by approximately 50 percent — from 59.2 cases per 100 thousand people to 29.1 cases.

The important task is to continue to achieve the planned goals of the strategy. The number of tests is growing — in 2025, almost 39 percent of citizens were examined. Particular attention is paid to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Thanks to the good work of services, the transmission of HIV from mother to baby is almost completely excluded, — said the official.

According to him, as of January 1, 2026, about 882 thousand people with HIV were registered in Russia. In 2025, antiretroviral therapy coverage reached almost 92 percent, and in Moscow this figure is 95 percent. Thanks to mass testing, approximately 90 percent of those infected know their HIV status, which makes it possible to begin timely treatment and prevention. In Moscow, this figure reached about 95 percent.

Most often, new cases of infection are recorded in people aged 35-44 years — about 40 percent of cases. The proportion of cases after 45 years also increases. At the same time, in the age group under 25 years old, the number of new cases of infection has almost halved since 2020, the deputy minister emphasized.

The most common route of infection is sexual intercourse, accounting for more than 75 percent of new cases. It is important to remember that social factors, such as alcohol or drug abuse, increase the risk of infection. Therefore, it is important to promote a healthy lifestyle and safe behaviorhe thinks.

Plutnitsky expressed the opinion that in Russia it is also important to involve non-profit organizations that help carry out HIV prevention. The Russian Red Cross is of particular importance in this process, since it acts as a link between the state and the non-profit sector.

It allows organizations to work together, follow common approaches and take into account the characteristics of different regions and cultures. This approach is unique and very effective. It makes work more humane and socialadded the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Health.

Some people don’t ask for help

Geographically, HIV is now most widespread in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. In other regions, such as the North Caucasus or Central Russia, incidence rates are low. There is also a special register that records all people with HIV in Russia, which helps monitor the epidemiological situation and plan treatment.

The Ministry of Health takes into account only those who register at a special center, showing a passport and taking tests, but some people with HIV do not go to these centers and are not included in the statistics, said RAS academician Vadim Pokrovsky. According to him, there may be up to 25 percent of such people and they do not receive the necessary medical care, and many of them are not aware of their diagnosis.

The main task now is to identify 95 percent of all infected people and treat them so that the virus becomes invisible. If the virus is not visible in the blood, the person is not contagious and the disease does not progress. This helps reduce the risk of spreading HIV. In Russia, the majority of infected people are now receiving treatment, but there are also those who do not seek help at all. Some of them have an advanced stage of the disease, which is dangerous for others,” explained the epidemiologist.

International standards require that most people—about 90 percent—be treated and not be infectious, Pokrovsky said. Then it is possible to significantly reduce the spread of the disease.

source: «Parliamentary newspaper»

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