World AIDS Day, marked on 1 December each year, is a day to reflect, not only on what has been achieved in fighting this global pandemic, but also on the challenges that lie ahead.
In recent years, many European countries have made substantial gains in preventing drug-related HIV infections. Yet, across Europe, certain populations are still disproportionally affected by the virus. Injecting drug use remains a major factor of vulnerability for acquiring blood-borne and other infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B and C and tuberculosis. Estimates of the number of people who inject drugs suggest that there are still significant populations at risk of infection.
In this context, the EMCDDA and ECDC have joined forces to identify seven interventions to reduce and prevent infectious diseases among people who inject drugs. Based on expert opinion, best practice and the most robust evidence available, the agencies have identified, in a joint guidance report, good public-health practices for the prevention and control of infections in this vulnerable group.
The report shows that a pragmatic, preventive approach to public health can significantly reduce the spread of infections. The challenge will be to ensure that this understanding is translated into effective services for those who inject drugs. To achieve this, the report underlines that Europe needs closer cooperation among all healthcare sectors to win the trust of this group and offer them adequate health services.
In recent years, HIV/AIDS prevention has been high on the EU public-health agenda – and it remains so under the current Polish EU Council Presidency, which aims to reduce health inequalities among vulnerable groups. But with over 2,000 HIV/AIDS-related deaths in the EU every year, there is still much to be done when it comes to effective prevention.
