Thirteen years of Discovery Health Medical Scheme data show HIV mortality rates almost halved (down 47%) through sustained treatment and globally award-winning care

Key messages:

• HIV-related mortality among DHMS members has almost halved (down 47%) over 13 years, driven by sustained ART adherence, personalised data-driven care, and the strength of Discovery’s HIV Care Programme.

• Members living with HIV are living significantly longer, with the average age at death rising by eight years and mortality rates for virally undetectable members now similar to those members living without HIV.

• High treatment adherence and viral suppression are decisive, with 85% of members achieving undetectable viral loads and high adherence reducing mortality risk by 22%.

• As HIV-related mortality declines, noncommunicable diseases have become an emerging challenge, now accounting for one-third of deaths among HIV-registered members (with HIV members having similar NCD prevalence to non-HIV members).

• Discovery’s HIV Care Programme is internationally recognised, earning global awards for outstanding care for vulnerable customers, positioning South Africa as a leader in scalable, compassionate HIV care.

Johannesburg, 24 November 2025 – New data released by Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) shows that over the past 13 years, HIV-related mortality has declined significantly. This is the result of sustained treatment effectiveness, uptake and adherence, data-driven personalised care, and the strength of Discovery’s HIV Care Programme, which has recently been internationally recognised for its innovation in managed care. Further, while HIV registered members are living longer, the effects of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are emerging as an important risk factor among people living with HIV.

“We celebrate the improvements in HIV mortality as this is a story of lives extended, families supported, and futures reclaimed,” says Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Chief Clinical Officer at Discovery Health (Administrator of DHMS). “Our findings showcase the effects of continued advances in HIV treatment and disease management support. As we reflect on World AIDS Day, taking place on 1 December 2026, our data offers hope - showing that with continued focus, collaboration and compassion, we can move closer to ending HIV as a public health threat.”

Thirteen years of data show decrease in HIV-related mortality attributed to sustained adherence to antiretroviral therapy

Discovery Health Medical Scheme offers its members voluntary access to the HIV Care Programme. This programme combines advanced data science, technology, and clinical expertise to deliver world-class support for HIV-positive members. Members experience a coordinated, clinically guided experience that adapts to each member’s needs – from diagnosis through long-term management. This programme has resulted in sustained improvement in HIV outcomes over time:

• From 2012 to 2024, age- and sex-standardised HIV-related mortality rates declined by 47%.

• Where HIV was the fourth highest cause of death among Scheme members in 2012, it dropped to the 13^th cause of death in 2024 (with cancer and cardiovascular disease-related deaths taking the lead).

• Over the same time frame, the average age at death for members on the HIV Care programme increased by eight years - from under 43 to over 51 years.

• By 2024, mortality rates of HIV-registered members with undetectable viral loads were similar to those of members not registered for HIV benefits.

“The decrease in HIV related mortality can be attributed to sustained adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), which has played a crucial role in achieving and maintaining viral load suppression,” Dr Nematswerani explains. “When a member achieves viral suppression, their risk of illness and transmission decreases dramatically. On the other hand, our data shows that members with high viral loads faced a 4.7 times greater risk of death, highlighting the critical role of early and consistent viral suppression.”

• The proportion of HIV-registered members with undetectable viral loads rose from 65% in 2012 to 85% in 2024, with a 16% decrease in the proportion of members with an uncontrolled viral load.

• Members with high adherence to ART showed a 22% lower risk of death than those with low adherence.

While HIV-related mortality has declined, noncommunicable diseases have emerged as a growing health challenge for this group

As members who live with HIV have begun to live longer, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as a growing health challenge for this group (as for Scheme members who do not have HIV).

• In 2024, NCDs accounted for 32% of deaths among HIV-registered members, up from 23% in 2012.

In 2024:

• NCD prevalence had increased to similar levels between HIV registered and non-HIV registered members, across all age groups.

• The most common NCDs among HIV-registered members were cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health conditions.

• HIV-registered members living with an NCD had a 60% higher risk of death than those without an NCD.

“These insights show that HIV is no longer the dominant threat it once was for members who are appropriately managed,” says Dr Nematswerani. “But they also reveal a new challenge – the rising impact of chronic conditions among people living with HIV. Our care programme will evolve to meet this complexity.”

An HIV success story for Scheme members, and two global awards for the HIV Care programme

Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s HIV Care Programme has been recognised on the global stage twice over! First, in early October Discovery Health won Best Health & Wellness Offering at the Global Insurance Innovation Awards 2025 for its HIV Managed Care Ecosystem. The Global Insurance Innovation Awards are among the world’s most prestigious accolades, celebrating organisations that are reshaping insurance through innovation, technology and meaningful customer impact. Then, in early November, the Programme won Gold (first place) in the category of ‘Best Customer Experience for Vulnerable Customers’ in the International Customer Experience Awards.

Here are some of the integrated HIV Care programme’s key features:

• Members experiencing a coordinated, clinically guided experience that adapts to each member’s needs - from diagnosis through long-term management

• Enrolment via Premier Plus GPs with personalised dashboards on HealthID (Discovery Health’s electronic health record)

• Full cover for ART from the HIV medicine list (formulary) when using designated service providers

• Four GP consultations and one specialist visit per year, covered in full

• Routine HIV monitoring tests (CD4 count, viral load, liver function, glucose, lipogram, etc.)

• Supportive medicine and multivitamins, up to R660 per member annually

• Preventive therapy for post- and pre-exposure scenarios, including mother-to-child transmission

• Unlimited hospitalisation cover for HIV-related admissions across, all plans.

Dr Nematswerani adds, “The programme is built on the principle that every person living with HIV deserves care that is clinically sound, emotionally supportive, and financially sustainable. It removes barriers, reduces stigma, and empowers members to take control of their health - helping them thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally within a system that truly cares.”

“The awards earned affirms the work of thousands of clinicians, data scientists, and case managers who have built a system that truly works. We’re showing a global health community that South Africa is leading in how HIV care can be delivered at scale, with dignity and precision.”

“Discovery Health’s managed care model combines data science, clinical protocols, technology, and personalised support across a range of chronic conditions - from diabetes to cardiovascular disease. This sort of coordinated approach ensures early detection, continuous engagement, and improved adherence - key ingredients for longer, healthier lives. The HIV Care Programme is a leading example of how this philosophy works in practice.”

Continued focus on expanding access, deepening prevention and innovation in extending the lives of HIV-registered members

Dr Nematswerani concludes: “The transformation we’re seeing in HIV outcomes is proof that sustained, data-driven care can change the course of disease. As we look ahead, our focus remains on expanding access, deepening prevention, and continuing to innovate so that every person living with HIV can live well, for longer.”

• Read report, “Celebrating HIV mortality improvements for HIV registered members on Discovery Health Medical Scheme”, prepared by Discovery Health’s Risk Intelligence team.

• Learn more about Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s HIV Care Programme