According to UNAIDS, globally the number of new HIV infections among children has dropped dramatically between 2000 and 2015, from close to 500,000 infected children to 150,000. The goal is to reduce the number of infected children to below 50,000 by 2020.

Global Goal 3 calls to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” by 2030, including ending the epidemic of AIDS and other diseases.

Education can help.

Schooling reduces the risk of HIV infection.

Young people who stay in school longer are more aware of HIV and AIDS. They are more inclined to take protective measures such as using condoms, getting tested and discussing HIV/AIDS with their partners.

Education also reduces the discrimination against HIV-positive children and adolescents that can result in them dropping out of school.

The education and health sectors will continue to work closely together in the years to come to ensure that the AIDS epidemic becomes history.