HIV and AIDS after 30 Years: Key Goals for Treatment and Prevention

On June 8–10, 2011, the United Nations (UN) hosted a High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS to discuss global progress to date and to set new goals for the treatment and prevention of HIV and AIDS. June 2011 also marked 30 years since the first report of AIDS was published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on June 5, 1981. The outcomes of the UN summit included:

• Zero new infections: A Global Plan, “Countdown to Zero,” outlines a course for achieving zero new infections in children by 2015 and for keeping more mothers alive. In 2009, roughly 370,000 children were born with HIV, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. EngenderHealth works to improve the quality of health services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (known as PMTCT).
• 15 million on treatment: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a declaration to put 15 million people living with HIV on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment by 2015. Today, about 6.6 million people are receiving ARV treatment, while a total of 33.3 million live with HIV worldwide. Promising new studies also show that early treatment can reduce the chances of HIV transmission by more than 90%. EngenderHealth is a leader in improving and expanding access to HIV treatment and prevention services.
• Additional goals: The UNGA declaration also pledges to halve tuberculosis-related deaths for people living with HIV and AIDS and to increase preventive measures for “most vulnerable populations.” EngenderHealth leads a program in Ethiopia to reach the “Most At Risk Populations,” including those who engage in transactional sex.

EngenderHealth is also a global leader when it comes to reducing stigma and working to expand male circumcision services in Africa, which have been proven to reduce the spread of HIV.

EngenderHealth will also participate in the 2011 International AIDS Society conference in Rome (July 17–20). Jared Nyanchoka, Technical Advisor, will present “Improving Male Circumcision Coverage Through Task Shifting to Non-Physician Clinicians.” Mark Barone, Senior Medical Associate, will present“Spontaneous Detachment of the Shang Ring following Adult Male Circumcision.” Other EngenderHealth papers include enhancing PMTCT services and the role of men in improving reproductive and child health.