Extracts and a comment from me below. Read online: https://www.who.int/news/item/01-12-2022-who-calls-on-the-global-communi...
WHO calls on the global community to equalize the HIV response
On 1 December, World AIDS Day 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on global leaders and citizens to boldly recognize and address the inequalities that are holding back progress in attaining the global goal to end AIDS by 2030.
WHO is joining global partners and communities in commemorating World AIDS Day 2022 under the theme “Equalize” – a message highlighting the need to ensure that essential HIV services reach those who are most at risk and in need, particularly children living with HIV, key populations to HIV and their partners.
“With global solidarity and bold leadership, we can make sure everyone receives the care they need,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “World AIDS Day is an opportunity to re-affirm and refocus on our shared commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”...
Of the 38 million people living with HIV, 5.9 million people who know they have HIV are not receiving treatment.
A further 4 million people living with HIV have not yet been diagnosed.
While 76% of adults overall were receiving antiretroviral treatment that help them lead normal and healthy lives, only 52% of children living with HIV were accessing this treatment globally in 2021.
70% of new HIV infections are among people who are marginalized and often criminalized...
“People must not be denied HIV services no matter who they are or where they live, if we are to achieve health for all,” said Dr Meg Doherty, WHO Director of the HIV, Hepatitis and STI programmes. “In order to end AIDS, we need to end new infections among children, end lack of treatment access to them, and end structural barriers and stigma and discrimination towards key populations in every country as soon as possible.”
COMMENT (NPW): Every person and every health worker needs access to reliable information to prevent, diagnose and manage HIV. Previous research suggests that only about one-third of men and women can correctly identify ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and reject major misconceptions about HIV transmission ( https://apps.who.int/gho/data/view.main.SEX1740 ). Research has repeatedly shown that there are profound gaps in knowledge, misconceptions and prejudice among the general public, health workers and policymakers.
Neil Pakenham-Walsh, Global Coordinator HIFA, www.hifa.org neil@hifa.org
Global Healthcare Information Network: Working in official relations with WHO
