... formed in 1985 to combat the growing number of AIDS cases.(Para.4)
Meaning: ... formed in 1985 to fight against the increasing number of AIDS cases.
combat: vt. fight against;
The new government promised to take measures to combat crime.新政府承诺采取措施与犯罪行为作斗争。
combat: n. a struggle between two sides, ideas, etc.
He took part in a street combat in which two people were killed.他参与了一起街头打斗，打斗中两个人被打死。