BBC News examines HIV/AIDS in Iran, writing, “In the 2000s, Iran became known as the region’s leader in the fight against AIDS. Each year, the government allocates millions of dollars to prevent and manage the disease, and government-sponsored clinics across the country help battle it.” The news service continues, “Yet several HIV/AIDS activists and Iranians infected with the virus argue that efforts to control the epidemic have suffered major setbacks in recent years, mostly because of the weakening economy and the widespread stigma of the illness.”

“As Iran’s economy has faltered and the cost of living has skyrocketed, Iranians living with HIV/AIDS are struggling for survival,” the news service writes. UNAIDS and Iran’s government estimate 96,000 Iranians have HIV, BBC notes, adding that “only around a quarter of them have been identified.” The news service discusses a number of challenges to addressing the disease in the country, including stigma, sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear program, a lack of HIV education, and a lack of political will (12/3).