The Lancet: “HIV treatment as prevention – it works”

On May 21, The Lancet published a fascinating editorial on the compelling interim results of the HPTN 052 study, making a strong case for treatment as prevention. The article reinforces the fact that we appear to be on the cusp of a major overhaul with regard to both treatment and prevention. As it points out, “Findings now need to be translated into policy and action. Agencies such as President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria need to reassess their prevention portfolios and consider diverting funds from programmes with poor evidence (such as behavioural change communication) to treatment for prevention. There is now an ethical imperative for guidelines to be revised to start treatment much earlier than recommended.” Ironically enough, this has happened in the middle of the recession, so chances of procuring the necessary funds seem bleak – at least for the next couple of years.

While it is important to note that the HPTN 052 findings cannot be extrapolated to gay men and other MSM (the small number of gay men in the trial is a definite drawback), it seems reasonable to believe that the impacts would be similarly strong among them. Read the full article here, and tell us what you think!

Also, folks from the US, South Africa and India who are interested in new ways to prevent transmission of HIV – and want to help shape our project goals and deliverables – are highly encouraged to take a few minutes and fill in our survey.

Your efforts will be greatly appreciated!

Take the survey now.


[Content that is linked from other sources is for informational purposes and should not construe a Mapping Pathways position.]