On June 5th, 1981, the CDC released its first public report about HIV and AIDS. Since then, nearly 30 million people have died from AIDS-related causes worldwide. Check out this timeline of major challenges and successes that have faced our planet since we've known about HIV/AIDS.
1981
On June 5th, the U.S. Center for Disease Control publishes a report explaining that an unknown cause has stricken 5 gay men in Los Angeles with a rare pneumonia.
The first cases of this mysterious cause are among gay men, and later, injecting drug users. 121 people reportedly die from the disease by the end of the year.
1982
The name Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is coined.
AIDS is reported among haemophiliacs who have received blood tranfusions in the U.S.
1983
The first AIDS cases among non-drug using women and children arise.
One thousand people in the U.S. have died of AIDS.
1984
Scientists identify the Human Immunodeciency Virus (HIV) and link it to the cause of AIDS.
Scientists discover that AIDS is present in Africa.
1985
HIV begins to be screened in blood tests.
Movie star Rock Hudson becomes the first major celebrity to announce that he has contracted AIDS.
AIDS is reported in China.
1986
More than 38,000 AIDS cases have been reported worldwide.
1987
AZT becomes the first drug to treat AIDS.
1988
The U.S. government conducts its first national AIDS education campaign.
The first World AIDS Day takes place held on December 1st.
1991
NBA basketball star Magic Johnson announces that he is HIV positive, helping to reduce the myth that the virus only affects gay men in America.
1995
The Joint United Nationas Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) is established.
1996
Patients show success in using comination antiretroviral treatment, a combination of drugs sometimes known as a "drug cocktail."
The World Health Organization provides the first medical guidelines that prevent mother-to-child tranmission of HIV.
1997
An estimated 22 million people are living with HIV worldwide.
2002
Botswana is the first African country to begin a national AIDS treatment program.
2003
The first possible HIV vaccine to be tested widely is found inneffective.
2006
Only 28% of HIV positive people in developing countries are receiving treatment.
2007
An estimated 33 million people are living with HIV.
2010
The United States removes the travel ban that prevents HIV-positive people from entering America.
Researchers conduct a study in which there was a 44% reduction in infection risk among HIV-negative participants if they took a daily dose of antiretroviral drugs.
Doctors cure an HIV positive man after five years of bone marrow transplants and radiation therapy. As of 2011, the approach will only work for a small number of people.
2011
Researchers provide an HIV vaccine to monkeys, and it works on half of the test subjects.
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