Key Factors Our report, Epidemic of the mind, identifies five key factors holding the world back from ending the HIV epidemic by 2030. Learn more Key Factors Break the Stigma Decades of fear have created heavy public biases against HIV. This sentiment has created an environment where people living with HIV are heavily stigmatized and discriminated against, making people reluctant to reveal their HIV status or get tested for the virus. Because in many minds, having HIV is the same as being dead already.Learn more Share Knowledge Understanding how HIV spreads is key to ending transmission of the virus. You should know that HIV can only be spread through certain behaviors, like having unprotected sex or injecting drugs. Critically, these are the only bodily fluids capable of transmitting HIV:Blood, sperm, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.Learn more Gender Inequality Women and girls make up a disproportionate amount of HIV infections worldwide. Ending HIV means ensuring equal access to sexual health resources and education for everyone.Learn more Availability Millions of people around the world are unable to access local sexual health resources like HIV treatment, STI testing, contraceptives or basic sexual health education.Learn more Spirituality & Beliefs Safer sex within the context of religion is usually not openly discussed, but educating people about how to protect themselves from STIs is essential, no matter their background.Learn more The report “Epidemic of the Mind” is an evolving, in-depth analysis of the barriers that prevent access to the global health care system and is a basis for the continued development of the Update HIV campaign. Learn more