Reasons for Optimism on World AIDS Day
More people than ever — nearly 21 million worldwide — are accessing lifesaving treatment for HIV. It is also encouraging that five high-burden African countries are approaching control of their HIV epidemics. These milestones are exceptional, but they’re not the only reason for optimism this World AIDS Day.
Over the past year, we hit several key HIV research milestones, unprecedented developments that hopefully will lead to new prevention tools that fit better into people’s daily lives. These advancements include the launch of the first efficacy study for an investigational global HIV vaccine candidate, the continuation of trials for another encouraging HIV vaccine candidate in South Africa, and the initiation of a trial of long-lasting pre-exposure prevention, which, if successful, might lead to protection from HIV for three-to-six months, compared with the only current form of antiretroviral prevention in the form of a daily pill.
We are in a complex and promising era in HIV research, but our forward trajectory is not a given. The largest-ever generation of young people in sub-Saharan Africa is currently hitting the age at which they are most at risk for HIV, and funding to support research is stagnating instead of growing. Continued investment in ambitious research and steadfast commitment to reaching more people with effective prevention and treatment options will be vital for continued progress against this disease.
MD|MPH|APGDMCH
7 年The DREAMS initiative has been instrumental in achieving impossible. Use of the asset building framework which is a store of value for Adolescent girls and young women against all vulnerabilities. What is left now is to map out sustainability issues when the funding comes to an end. I have seen a sea change in Gweru district which is an intervention district. The intervention is continously improved to achieve impact using the RE AIM Model
Robert Koch Fellow at Robert Koch Institute
7 年Renewed advocacy (and funds) are needed to accelerate the development of an HIV vaccine, this requiring the conduct of multiple efficacy trials of more candidate vaccines, in different populations with different HIV incidence and subtypes as well as different routes of transmission. A really functional Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise is badly needed as well the financial support from many more countries and agencies. The alternative is that we will never have an HIV vaccine.
Executive board member
7 年Trevor Mundel, thanks for the share and stressing the problems that still remain and spotlighting the potential opportunities that exist in providing sustainable solutions as we continue to build upon the foundation of the stakeholders , technology , and resources .