|
Issue 43,
3 December 2009
|
|
|
Efforts on behalf of universal access are bringing AIDS out of isolation
By Denis Haveaux Liaison Officer to the European Union, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
On 1 December, we commemorate World AIDS Day – either because we're reminded of it by the organisations that work with HIV-positive people or because we or our loved ones are living with HIV/AIDS. Marking World AIDS Day is as much an expression of hope as of concern.
There are grounds for hope when we hear that, in eastern Europe, mother-to-child transmission is prevented in over 95% of cases and could be eliminated completely in those countries by 2015. Another reason for hope: over 4 million people now have access to anti-retrovirals, and prevention programmes are starting to bear fruit, with prevalence rates falling in a number of African and Asian countries.
And yet there is cause for concern too. In the middle of a major economic downturn, and with governments having to deal with other emerging problems, we have to keep up the momentum.
There is a severe and persistent lack of resources, and the stigma surrounding AIDS is still a problem.
We must keep the promises that we have made. Among other things, that means meeting the millennium development goal of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015. This is crucial precondition for meeting several other MDGs.
Today, there are more than 33 million people living with HIV. For every two people that start treatment, another five become infected.
We must improve the effectiveness of HIV-prevention. Where prevention programmes are not properly designed to reach high-risk groups, infection rates have stayed high or are increasing.
The considerable amounts of funding provided in recent years by the European Commission and its partners must be channelled toward two main goals. The first is the target agreed on by all countries back in 2006 – to ensure universal access to prevention, treatment and care by the end of 2010. The second objective is to put our heads together and devise a long-term strategy for managing this epidemic that will be with us for decades to come.
|
HIV cases continue to rise in the EU: Sex among men who have sex with men is predominant mode of transmission
HIV infection remains of major public health importance in Europe, with evidence of increasing transmission of HIV in several European countries according to the new HIV/AIDS surveillance data for Europe released on 1 December.
HIV cases continue to rise in the EU: Sex among men who have sex with men is predominant mode of transmission
HIV infection remains of major public health importance in Europe, with evidence of increasing transmission of HIV in several European countries according to the new HIV/AIDS surveillance data for Europe released on 1 December.
New HIV infections reduced by 17% over the past eight years
The report, released by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights that beyond the peak and natural course of the epidemic - HIV prevention programmes are making a difference.
New HIV infections reduced by 17% over the past eight years
The report, released by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights that beyond the peak and natural course of the epidemic - HIV prevention programmes are making a difference.
Council conclusions on programme for action to confront HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis
The Council of the EU recognises that the three diseases will continue to pose exceptional global challenges for decades to come and calls for stronger, more effective and more concerted efforts of the Commission and Member States to accelerate progress in confronting them.
Council conclusions on programme for action to confront HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis
The Council of the EU recognises that the three diseases will continue to pose exceptional global challenges for decades to come and calls for stronger, more effective and more concerted efforts of the Commission and Member States to accelerate progress in confronting them.
EU policy paper – Combating HIV/AIDS in the EU and neighbouring countries, 2009-2013
A new communication from the Commission has been approved setting out priorities for tackling HIV/AIDS across Europe in the coming years.
EU policy paper – Combating HIV/AIDS in the EU and neighbouring countries, 2009-2013
A new communication from the Commission has been approved setting out priorities for tackling HIV/AIDS across Europe in the coming years.
|
|
Ireland
Slán: Injuries in Ireland - Findings from National Population Surveys
This report presents the main findings on self-reported injuries that required medical treatment among Irish adults from the 2007 Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (SLÁN 2007) in Ireland.
|
World AIDS Day 2009 – European Commission tops a billion Euros invested in the fight against the global AIDS epidemic
World AIDS Day 2009 – European Commission tops a billion Euros invested in the fight against the global AIDS epidemic
|
|
EPF VALUE+ Conference (9-10 December 2009)
This milestone conference on patients’ involvement will be the final event of the EPF-led project VALUE+. It will present results from the project, concrete tools on patient involvement, and will be an important platform for fostering continued political commitment.
Prevention of Depression and Suicide (10-11 December 2009)
The Commission and Hungary will organise a thematic conference on Prevention of Depression and Suicide. This event will take place on 10-11 December 2009 in Budapest.
|
|
Towards universal access: scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector
This report highlights gains including expanded HIV testing and counselling and improved access to services to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child.
Towards universal access: scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector
This report highlights gains including expanded HIV testing and counselling and improved access to services to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child.
2009 AIDS epidemic update
This report is divided into separate chapters that summarize epidemiological trends in individual regions.
2009 AIDS epidemic update
This report is divided into separate chapters that summarize epidemiological trends in individual regions.
|
|
World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009
Activities at EU level
ECDC – European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Health-EU -
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS
European Neighbourhood Policy
Health Programme Projects
BORDERNET
HIV/AIDS and STI prevention, diagnostics and therapy in regions along the current and new EU outer borders.
AIDS & Mobility Europe 2007–2010
The main aim of AIDS & Mobility Europe (A&M) is to develop and implement policies to make migrants and other mobile populations less vulnerable to HIV.
CORRELATION - European Network Social Inclusion and Health
Correlation II tackles health inequalities in Europe and seeks to improve prevention, care and treatment services. It targets blood-borne infectious diseases (BBID) – in particular Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS – among vulnerable and high-risk populations (e.g. drug users and young people at risk).
Other interesting links
UNAIDS - Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS
WHO Europe - HIV infections
UNICEF - Protecting children
UNDP and HIV/AIDS
UNFPA - Preventing HIV
IOM - HIV/AIDS and population mobility
ILO - HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue
EATG - European AIDS Treatment Group
AIDS Action Europe
|
|
