Brazil
With a population of 212 million Brazil has an estimated 1,1 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) From a peak in 2017 of 70.000 new infections, in 2024 there were /55.000 new HIV infections. The number of AIDS related deaths fell to 12.000 in 2024. Although there is a lack of recent data, older figures indicate the majority of PLHIV are gay men and transgender people. Brazil is getting closer to the UNAIDS target of 95-95-95 every year.
In 2024 90% of the infected people were aware of their status, 80% of them were taking HIV medication, and for 96% of them the medication worked well.
Source UNAIDS
Rene
I am Rene and I am 56 years old. I work as a teacher. In 2003 I found out I was HIV-positive, but I never told my family. It’s difficult. There is still a lot of prejudice in Brazil.
I’m divorced but have two sons. Both are married. Today one of them came over to tell me I’ll be a grandfather soon. This is a happy day. My dream is to see my grandchildren grow up in a world with less crime and corruption.
My message to the world is: there is no cure yet for HIV, but you can fight prejudice.
Natasha
I’m Natasha and I’m 42 years old. I work in HIV-prevention. I coordinate as a volunteer for the RNTTHP, an organisation that helps people with HIV and AIDS. In 2013 I heard that I was HIV-positive. Some in my family know I’m poz. That’s good, because in Brazil there is a lot of inequality. And there’s a lack of empathy towards people living with HIV.
I am a single woman, and my dream is to grow in life. I want to get stability in my life, to educate myself, to get a steady job, to be someone in society.
My message to the world is: I can be whatever I want. When I set myself to it, study, I know that everything will be fine.
Walter
I’m Walter and I’m 29 years old. I’m studying psychology and I work as a social educator. I’m single, just dating. I was born with HIV. They call that ‘vertical transmission’. I was about 8 years old when I knew I was a po boy.
All in my family knows. When I was a child, they felt sorry for me because they thought I would not make it. Today everyone is very proud of the struggles I face being an activist. I want to fight the injustices and prejudices.
I want to be a role model. When I heard from a young guy who I supported that I had saved his life, it was one of the best days in my life. My dream is to graduate in psychology and to give back some of all this learning to my peers and to fight for the most vulnerable people in our society.
My message to the world is: May we ensure full access to care, considering both mental and physical health for all.
Márcio
Márcio Villard – 61 years old, a health professional since 1987 with the Brazilian Ministry of Health. I have been a volunteer with the Grupo Pela Vidda-RJ since 1994 and the group’s general coordinator since 2010. Currently, I coordinate a community-based rapid HIV testing project with support from AHF-Brazil. This will be the first time I have participated in an IAS World AIDS Conference since 1994. I also coordinate a project with LGBT+ artists called “Drags da Prevenção”.
