World AIDS Day 2025: Celebrating longer lives for our members who live with HIV, and two global awards for the HIV Care Programme

New data shows that Discovery Health members who live with HIV are living longer, healthier lives

The HIV Care Programme has had real impact on members' lives. Recent research by Discovery Health Medical Scheme shows that what was once unimaginable is now a reality: Members with undetectable viral loads are now thriving just as well as those without HIV.

HIV-related death rates among Scheme members have almost halved (down 47%) over the past 13 years - from 2012 to 2024.

• The average age at death for members registered for HIV has increased by eight years - from under 43 to over 51.
• HIV dropped from the fourth to the thirteenth cause of death among DHMS members.

Most importantly, members with undetectable viral loads now have mortality rates similar to those without HIV - a milestone once thought impossible.

The progress seen is largely due to members keeping the virus under control by taking HIV treatment regularly and due to the support they get from the HIV Care Programme. When a member's HIV is well controlled, they're much less likely to get sick or pass the virus on to others.

Members with high viral loads face a 4.7 times higher risk of death than those with suppressed viral loads:

• 85% of members on antiretroviral therapy (ART) achieve undetectable viral loads after two years.
• Consistent ART use lowers the risk of death by 22%.
• The proportion of HIV-registered members with undetectable viral loads rose from 65% in 2012 to 85% in 2024.

While HIV-related mortality has declined, common chronic conditions are emerging as growing health challenges

However, as members who live with HIV live longer, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes and mental health conditions are emerging as health risks.  These sorts of conditions accounted for 33% of deaths among HIV-registered members in 2024, up from 23% in 2012. And, by 2024, HIV-registered members were just as likely to have chronic conditions as those without HIV.

The HIV Care Programme will be evolving to meet these challenges, supporting every aspect of long-term health for DHMS members who live with HIV.

What does this mean for you?

If you're living with HIV and not yet registered for the HIV Care Programme, speak to your GP today. Early enrolment and consistent treatment make all the difference.

Two global awards recognise the HIV Care Programme

Discovery Health Medical Scheme's pioneering HIV Care Programme has recently won two global awards. First, in early October, it won Best Health & Wellness Offering at the Global Insurance Innovation Awards 2025 and in early November, it won Gold (first place) in the category of 'Best Customer Experience for Vulnerable Customers' in the International Customer Experience Awards.

The Scheme's HIV Care programme - a voluntary programme - combines advanced data science, technology, and clinical expertise to deliver world-class support for HIV-positive members. Members get coordinated, clinically guided experience that adapts to each member's needs - from diagnosis through long-term management. It empowers members to take control of their health, with their GP as a trusted partner.

Did you know?

• 'HIV' stands for 'human immunodeficiency virus', which is the virus that causes HIV infection. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
• There is no cure for HIV infection. However, with access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care HIV infection has become a manageable chronic health condition