LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2026--
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV/AIDS organization, is proud to announce a historic new milestone: 3 million lives in care worldwide.
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The achievement reflects AHF’s global commitment to HIV prevention, care, and treatment—and comes as the organization marks the 25th anniversary of its first global programs, launched in South Africa and Uganda in early 2001, while also approaching the 40th anniversary of its founding in Los Angeles.
Today, AHF provides lifesaving services in 50 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe, supporting millions of people living with HIV through a network of 1,056 global clinics, 79 healthcare centers in the US, 67 pharmacies, 96 wellness centers, 26 Out of the Closet thrift stores, outreach programs, and community partnerships.
“This accomplishment is far more than a number—it represents 3 million individuals whose lives have been touched by compassion, commitment, and the belief that healthcare is a human right,” said Dr. Condessa M. Curley, AHF Board Chair. “It reflects decades of work across continents, often in the most challenging environments, to ensure that no one is left behind. We extend our deepest gratitude to every member of the AHF team whose dedication made this milestone possible.”
AHF began as a community-based response for people dying from HIV/AIDS. Over the decades, the organization expanded into a global force for public health, healthcare access, equity, and advocacy, growing to more than 9,000 employees worldwide.
From physicians, nurses, pharmacists, counselors, laboratory technicians, outreach workers, and peer navigators to the many operations, finance, public health, research, advocacy, retail, and administrative teams supporting care delivery behind the scenes, AHF staff across the globe have helped build systems of care where few previously existed.
“When we launched our first programs in South Africa and Uganda 25 years ago, serving just a handful of patients outside the US, none of us could have imagined reaching three million lives in care worldwide,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein. “This milestone belongs to our staff, partners, and patients. It proves what is possible when persistence, urgency, and compassion come together around a simple idea: that no person should be denied lifesaving healthcare because of who they are, where they live, or what they can afford.”
The milestone also comes at a critical moment for the global HIV response. More than 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV, while hundreds of thousands continue to die annually from AIDS-related illnesses despite the availability of effective treatment.
In addition to treatment services, AHF continues to expand prevention and public health programs worldwide. In 2025 alone, AHF and its affiliated programs provided nearly 5 million free HIV tests globally and distributed more than 64 million free condoms, underscoring the organization’s continued emphasis on both prevention and treatment.
AHF leaders noted that the impact of 3 million people in care extends far beyond the individuals receiving treatment. Sustained access to antiretroviral therapy helps people live longer, healthier lives, reduces HIV transmission, strengthens families and communities, and helps prevent children from losing parents to AIDS-related illnesses. For many families, HIV treatment means parents remaining present, economically active, and able to care for future generations.
“With three million lives in care worldwide, AHF’s programs contribute not only to saving lives, but also to reducing onward HIV transmission through sustained viral suppression and expanded access to care,” added Dr. Curley.
AHF’s growth has accelerated significantly in recent years:
As AHF celebrates the milestone, many country programs are also marking important anniversaries of their own this year, including 10-, 15-, and 20-year milestones that reflect the organization’s long-term partnerships with governments, healthcare workers, and communities around the world.
As AHF looks ahead, the organization remains focused on its next major goal: 5 million lives in care worldwide by 2030.
“This milestone is both a celebration and a reminder that the work is far from finished,” said Weinstein. “The global HIV epidemic is not over but reaching three million lives in care shows what determined people and communities can accomplish together.”
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to 3 million people across 50 countries, including the U.S. and in Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. In January 2025, AHF received the MLK, Jr. Social Justice Award, The King Center’s highest recognition for an organization leading work in the social justice arena. To learn more about AHF, visit us online at AIDShealth.org, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
AHF, the world’s largest HIV/AIDS organization, is proud to announce a historic new milestone: 3 million lives in care in 50 AHF countries across the globe. The achievement reflects AHF’s global commitment to HIV prevention, care, and treatment—and comes as the organization marks the 25th anniversary of its first global programs, launched in South Africa and Uganda in early 2001, and approaches the 40th anniversary of its founding in Los Angeles. Billboards featuring this art will go up in several key AHF U.S. markets and countries worldwide.
BEIJING (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin praised his close ties with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and said their countries are partners in trade and international affairs as they opened bilateral talks Wednesday on his trip to Beijing.
Xi welcomed Putin with a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People only days after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The quick succession of Trump’s and Putin’s visits highlighted Beijing’s growing role as an international superpower, experts say.
Putin greeted Xi warmly as they met for bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People.
“My dear friend,” Putin said. “We are truly delighted to see you. We keep in constant touch, both personally and through our aides in the government.”
Xi also stressed the “political mutual trust and strategic cooperation” between the countries, according to Chinese state media. The two leaders have praised each other profusely in the past, with Xi at one point describing Putin as his “best and most intimate friend.”
Xi and Putin were set to focus on energy and security as well as their overall ties. The two sides agreed to extend a friendship treaty first signed in 2001, Chinese state media reported.
China became Russia’s top trading partner after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing has said it is neutral in the conflict while maintaining trade ties with the Kremlin despite economic and financial sanctions by the U.S. and Europe.
China is the top customer for Russian oil and gas supplies, and Moscow expects the war in Iran to increase the demand.
In his meeting with Xi, Putin stressed their countries’ economic ties.
“The driving force behind economic cooperation is Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector,” Putin said. “Amid the crisis in the Middle East, Russia continues to maintain its role as a reliable supplier of resources, while China remains a responsible consumer of these resources.”
Xi stressed the need of “complete cessation of hostilities” in the Middle East, according to Chinese state media.
“An early end to the conflict will help reduce disruptions to energy supply stability, the smooth flow of industrial and supply chains, and international trade order,” Xi said.
A Russian presidential aide said earlier Russia’s oil exports to China grew by 35% in the first quarter of 2026 and that Russia is one of the biggest exporters of natural gas to China.
Putin also stressed China and Russia’s cooperation in foreign policy as “one of the key stabilizing factors on the international stage.”
“In the current tense situation on the international stage, our close cooperation is particularly in demand,” he said.
In February 2022, just weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China and Russia announced a “no limits” partnership during a trip by Putin to Beijing.
Beijing says it is neutral in the conflict, though in practice it supports Moscow through frequent state visits, growing trade and joint military drills. China has also ignored demands from the West to stop providing high-tech components for Russia’s weapons industries.
The two leaders are scheduled to sign cooperation agreements during Putin’s two-day visit.
But regardless of specific deals, the primary purpose of the visit is to reaffirm the countries’ ties as well as project Beijing’s image as an influential superpower, experts say.
“The optics matter,” said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London.
“The message is clearly one that China maintains friendship and strategic partnership with whichever power it likes, and the USA is just one of them.”
Putin and Xi both need to use their close ties in order to prop up their images at home, said Willy Lam, a senior China fellow at the Jamestown Foundation.
Putin “needs to tell his countrymen and the world that Russia has China’s support in terms of buying its oil and gas and other tangible and intangible financial support,” Lam said.
Meanwhile, for Xi, having both Trump and Putin visit in such close succession is a major source of credit with the country’s top Communist leadership.
Putin noted earlier this month that Moscow and Beijing have reached “a very substantial step forward in our cooperation in the oil and gas sector.”
“Practically all the key issues have been agreed upon,” he said. “If we succeed in finalizing these details and bringing them to a conclusion during this visit, I will be extremely pleased.”
Putin also praised their bilateral relationship as a crucial, balancing force in international relations.
“Interaction between such nations as China and Russia undoubtedly serves as a factor of deterrence and stability,” he said.
Moscow welcomes China’s dialogue with the U.S. as another stabilizing element for the global economy, Putin added.
“We stand only to benefit from this, from the stability and constructive engagement between the U.S. and China,” he said.
Mistreanu reported from Bangkok.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang shake hands during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Kristina Solovyova, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Children holding Russian and Chinese flags walk ahead of a welcoming ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Maxim Shemetov/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Maxim Shemetov/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, foreground and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Maxim Shemetov/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Maxim Shemetov/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping inspect an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Maxim Shemetov/Pool Photo via AP)
