Westat’s Post

In this 4-part activity series, Richard A. Elion, MD is joined by expert faculty to review updated guidelines for patient risk assessment and PrEP eligibility; discuss interprofessional strategies for improved patient outcomes; assess the clinical evidence, availability, and appropriate use of PrEP therapy; evaluate racial, ethnic, and geographical disparities; and present approaches to increase PrEP usage in regions with the highest rates of HIV infection.   In this featured activity, Dr. Elion is joined by Rachel K. Scott, MD, MPH, FACOG to discuss the case of an adult cisgender female who desires HIV protection.   Find it here: https://lnkd.in/en5W8jZF   These activities are supported by an independent educational grant from ViiV Healthcare. 

Europe needs to take urgent action to reduce HIV transmissions to zero before the end of the decade. Governments, payors, community, industry and other stakeholders need to work together to keep HIV at the front and centre of Europe’s health agenda. Read below this article I co-authored in POLITICO with IAPAC and Cyrus Engerer on what will it take to end the HIV epidemic in Europe.

As the new year began, we asked HHS leaders and others to reflect on the progress achieved by the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative and to look ahead to what 2024 will bring. Here's what NIH's Dr. Carl Dieffenbach had to say: “Under EHE, NIH supports research to identify and address barriers to uptake of HIV testing, prevention and treatment services, with a goal of enabling equitable health outcomes in the communities most affected by HIV today. A key strength of this work is our strong collaborations between academic researchers, implementing partners, and community members, which result in locally led design and implementation of interventions that are practical, evidence-based, and desired by those who stand to benefit most from them. We will continue to share key findings with our federal partners so that EHE keeps growing even more inclusive, effective, and sustainable.” #EndHIVepidemic

Despite advances in care over the past 40 years, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major global public health issue.   More than 36 million people are estimated to be living with the disease, and resources to support patients vary across countries. (1)   HIV causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) – and in recognition of World AIDS Day tomorrow, we’ve created a timeline exploring the scientific and societal breakthroughs that have helped transform the lives of millions of people living with HIV.   Although significant challenges remain, the World Health Organization states that ending AIDS by 2030 is achievable if we keep our efforts strong. (2)   Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g456fpx.   1. World Health Organization. Global Health Observatory (GHO) Data: HIV/AIDS (2018). Accessed November 2023 2. World Health Organization. WHO and HIV: 40-year timeline. Accessed November 2023

We did not get the chance to dedicate any space to progress made in paediatric HIV in our original Lancet article, but are grateful for Philippe Van de Perre and Thorkild Tylleskär for pointing this out and allowing us the opportunity to respond to their correspondence. I thanks Dr Mody and my colleagues for the chance to put together a brief response. While new infections among children have declined, advances in preventing mother-to-child transmission have stalled in the last decade. Issues of screening, treatment initiation, and adherence among children living with HIV are more complex than in adult populations. Check out our original Lancet Seminar article on HIV, published on World AIDS Day 2023: https://lnkd.in/gi9mb8EH Our reply: https://lnkd.in/gvtTGjQP

Europe needs to take urgent action to reduce HIV transmissions to zero before the end of the decade. Governments, payors, community, industry and other stakeholders need to work together to keep HIV at the front and centre of Europe’s health agenda.

Today is National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Take some time to recognize the importance of investing in young people’s health through prevention and education as a critical step to achieving an AIDS-free generation. The CDC is focusing resources on communities most affected by HIV. This provides a major boost to the bold initiative to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030. The Plan focuses first on 50 local areas that account for more than half of new HIV diagnoses (48 counties; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Washington, DC), and seven states with a substantial rural burden.

The Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative is a collaborative effort to engage stakeholders and partners at the local, state, and federal levels to address the #HIVepidemic. Leveraging scientific advancements, the initiative focuses on four key strategies to end the HIV epidemic: -Diagnose -Treat -Prevent -Respond The EHE initiative is a core part of HHS’s work to implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Learn more about EHE: https://brnw.ch/21wMl72

Interested in learning more about the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative? Check out AIDSVu's Deeper Look: Ending the HIV Epidemic: https://lnkd.in/dvs9-W65

What will it take to end the HIV epidemic in Europe? HIV care in Europe has progressed through the decades, but data shows that more must be done to achieve the UNAIDS goal of zero new HIV transmissions by 2030. We partnered with POLITICO, International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, and Cyrus Engerer (He/Him), the MEP for Malta, to explore how the government, civil society, and healthcare industry can collaborate to end the HIV epidemic in Europe and beyond. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eRK5C_i3