via Science, by Salim S. Abdool Karim
The HIV pandemic remains a great global health challenge. With an estimated 3.3 million people living with HIV today, is there really hope of achieving the vision of an AIDS-free generation? Optimists argue that strong political will and generous funding are the essential elements. But skeptics point to the deep-seated structural inadequacies in many health care systems, especially in Africa, where the need is greatest.
Knowledge of HIV status is the common gateway to both treatment and prevention. But many people remain unaware of their HIV status. Denial, stigma, and a lack of understanding of vulnerability and risk lead to low rates of HIV testing, suboptimal condom use, and poor rates of circumcision. In addition to wider HIV testing, scale-up of ART therapy, both for the patient’s benefit and for the prevention benefi t to partners,will be key to reducing HIV transmission and to reaching zero new HIV infections.
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The HIV pandemic remains a great global health challenge. With an estimated 3.3 million people living with HIV today, is there really hope of achieving the vision of an AIDS-free generation? Optimists argue that strong political will and generous funding are the essential elements. But skeptics point to the deep-seated structural inadequacies in many health care systems, especially in Africa, where the need is greatest.
However, both sides agree that a potential combination of therapeutic and prophylactic antiretroviral strategies brings the prospect of HIV control within reach. And this month, the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC, “Turning the Tide Together,” will attempt to galvanize concerted global action to focus the world’s attention on this challenge.
Knowledge of HIV status is the common gateway to both treatment and prevention. But many people remain unaware of their HIV status. Denial, stigma, and a lack of understanding of vulnerability and risk lead to low rates of HIV testing, suboptimal condom use, and poor rates of circumcision. In addition to wider HIV testing, scale-up of ART therapy, both for the patient’s benefit and for the prevention benefi t to partners,will be key to reducing HIV transmission and to reaching zero new HIV infections.
Read the rest.
(This article requires you to sign up for a free registration to access to the full text)
[Content that is linked from other sources is for informational purposes and should not construe a Mapping Pathways position. Please look for us on Facebook here www.facebook.com/MappingPathways and you can follow us on Twitter @mappingpathways as well.]
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