AIDS PRESS RELEASE

Over the last two years, the multiple and overlapping crises that have rocked the world have had a devastating impact on people living with
and affected by HIV, and they have knocked back the global response to the AIDS pandemic. The new data revealed in this report are frightening: progress has been faltering, resources have been shrinking and inequalities have been widening. Insufficient investment and action are putting all of us in danger: we face millions of AIDS-related deaths and millions of new HIV infections if we continue on our current trajectory.
Together, world leaders can end AIDS by 2030 as promised, but we need to be frank: that promise and the AIDS response are in danger. Faltering progress meant that approximately 1.5 million new HIV infections occurred last year—more than 1 million more than the global targets. In too many countries and for too many communities, we now see rising numbers of new HIV infections when we needed to see rapid declines. We can turn this around, but in this emergency, the only safe response is to be bold. We can only prevail together, worldwide.
Marked inequalities, within and between countries, are stalling progress in the HIV response, and HIV is further widening those inequalities.

PRESS RELEASE
Millions of lives at risk as progress against AIDS falters

Progress in prevention and treatment is faltering around the world, putting millions of people in grave danger. Eastern Europe and central Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa have all seen increases in annual HIV infections over several years. In Asia and the Pacific, UNAIDS data now show new HIV infections are rising where they had been falling. Action to tackle the inequalities driving AIDS is urgently required to prevent millions of new HIV infections this decade and to end the AIDS pandemic.
MONTREAL/GENEVA, 27 July 2022—New data from UNAIDS on the global HIV response reveals that during the last two years of COVID-19 and other global crises, progress against the HIV pandemic has faltered, resources have shrunk, and millions of lives are at risk as a result. The new report, In Danger, is being launched ahead of the International AIDS Conference in Montreal, Canada.
Globally the number of new infections dropped only 3.6% between 2020 and 2021, the smallest annual decline in new HIV infections since 2016. Eastern Europe and central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, and Latin America have all seen increases in annual HIV infections over several years. In Asia and the Pacific – the world’s most populous region – UNAIDS data now shows new HIV infections are rising where they had been falling. Climbing infections in these regions are alarming. In eastern and southern Africa rapid progress from previous years significantly slowed in 2021. There is some positive news, with notable declines in new HIV infections in western and central Africa and in the Caribbean, but even in these regions, the HIV response is threatened by a tightening resource crunch.
“These data show the global AIDS response in severe danger. If we are not making rapid progress then we are losing ground, as the pandemic thrives amidst COVID-19, mass displacement, and other crises. Let us remember the millions of preventable deaths we are trying to stop,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.
Faltering progress meant approximately 1.5 million new infections occurred last year – over 1 million more than the global targets.
Marked inequalities within and between countries, are stalling progress in the HIV response, and HIV is further widening those inequalities.
New infections occurred disproportionately among young women and adolescent girls, with a new infection every two minutes in this population in 2021. The gendered HIV impact, particularly for young African women and girls, occurred amidst disruption of key HIV treatment and prevention services, millions of girls out of school due to pandemics, and spikes in teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence. In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent girls and young women are three times as likely to acquire HIV as adolescent boys and young men.
During the disruptions of the last few years, key populations have been particularly affected in many communities – with rising prevalence in many locations. UNAIDS data have shown increasing risk of new infections faced by gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) globally. As of 2021, UNAIDS key populations data show MSM have 28 times the risk of acquiring HIV compared to people of the same age and gender identity while people who inject drugs have 35 times the risk, sex workers 30 times the risk, and transgender women 14 times the risk.
Racial inequalities are also exacerbating HIV risks. In the United Kingdom and United States of America, declines in new HIV diagnoses have been greater among white populations than among black people. In countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, HIV acquisition rates are higher in indigenous communities than in non-indigenous communities.
The report also shows that efforts to ensure that all people living with HIV are accessing life-saving antiretroviral treatment are faltering. The number of people on HIV treatment grew more slowly in 2021 than it has in over a decade. And while three-quarters of all people living with HIV have access to antiretroviral treatment, approximately 10 million people do not, and only half (52%) of children living with HIV have access to lifesaving medicine; the gap in HIV treatment coverage between children and adults is increasing rather than narrowing.
The AIDS pandemic took a life every minute, on average, in 2021, with 650 000 AIDS deaths despite effective HIV treatment and tools to prevent, detect, and treat opportunistic infections.
“These figures are about political will. Do we care about empowering and protecting our girls? Do we want to stop AIDS deaths among children? Do we put saving lives ahead of criminalization?” asked Ms Byanyima. “If we do, then we must get the AIDS response back on track.”
There were significant differences between countries. Some of the countries with the biggest increases in the number of new HIV infections since 2015 included: Philippines, Madagascar, Congo and South Sudan. On the other hand, South Africa, Nigeria, India and United Republic of Tanzania had some of the most significant reductions in the numbers of HIV infections even amidst COVID-19 and other crises. Examples of progress point toward what effective pandemic response requires – with some of the strongest progress where community-led services, enabling legal and policy environments, and equitable services are clearest.
The report sets out the devastating consequences if urgent action is not taken to tackle the inequalities which drive the pandemic. It shows that on the current path the number of new infections per year would be over 1.2 million in 2025 – the year in which United Nations member states have set a goal of fewer than 370 000 new HIV infections. That would mean not just missing the pledge on new infections but overshooting that pledge by more than three times. Millions of avoidable HIV infections every year are making it ever harder and more expensive to ensure people living with HIV have access to lifesaving treatment and the targets to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030 are reached.
Global shocks including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war have further exacerbated risks for the HIV response. Debt repayments for the world’s poorest countries reached 171% of all spending on healthcare, education and social protection combined, choking countries’ capacities to respond to AIDS. Domestic funding for the HIV response in low- and middle-income countries has fallen for two consecutive years. The Ukraine war has dramatically increased global food prices, worsening food insecurity for people living with HIV across the world, making them much more likely to experience interruptions in HIV treatment.
At a moment when international solidarity and a surge of funding is most needed, too many high-income countries are cutting back aid, and resources for global health are under serious threat. In 2021, international resour

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Project “Exchange best practices and experiences working with refugees in the Baltics”

On 20-21 May, EHPV conducted the first study visit to Tallinn within the project “Exchange best practices and experiences working with refugees in the Baltics,” supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers´ Office in Estonia.

The project’s goal is to increase the ability to answer the needs of refugees affected by socially valuable diseases and build organizations’ advocacy capacity through study visits in Estonia, Latvia, and Finland.

8 representatives of Latvia and Finland NGOs – AGIHAS (Riga, Latvia) and Positiiviset ry (Helsinki, Finland) visited our office in Tallinn.
On the first study visit day, we presented EHPV activities. Special attention we paid to the branch of work with refugees. The psychologist from our office in Narva and peer consultant from our office in Johvi shared their experience working with refugees online.

The next day we visited Tallinn Social Welfare and Health Care. The Tallinn Social Welfare and Health Care representative, Mihhail Jakovlev, talked about the peculiarities of the departments work with refugees in Tallinn.

 

Then, Ekaterina Smirnova, the coordinator of EHPV psychosocial projects, organized a workshop working with refugees affected by socially valuable diseases. As a result, the participants discussed the peculiarities of the work of social workers, peer consultants, and support persons. Next, Ekaterina Smirnova gave a lecture about psychosocial work with trauma, and EHPV psychologist Ekaterina Maslennikova demonstrated the practice exercises working with trauma.

After the training, participants visited the Refugee reception center. Together with Mihhail Jakovlev, representative of the Tallinn Social Welfare and Health Care, we explored the center and learned about social services refugees can get in the center. Betina Beshkina, Deputy
Mayor of Tallinn, joined the meeting in the Refugee reception center. Betina shared her experience in creating and organizing the center and answered questions that interested the participants of the study visit.

Our partners from Latvia and Finland noted the high level of the study visit organization and the importance of acquired knowledge and experience for future work with refugees in their countries. The next study visit will conduct in AGIHAS (Riga, Latvia). During the second study visit, the participants will learn about AGIHAS activities and their experience working with refugees. Also, we will conduct a mini-conference working with refugees.

HIV-positive diagnosed in Estonia in 2022 (16.06.2022)

As of June 16, 2022, 113 HIV-infected persons have been diagnosed in Estonia.

Over the years, a total of 10,463 people have been diagnosed with the HIV virus in Estonia.

https://www.terviseamet.ee/et/nakkushaigused-menuu/tervishoiutootajale/nakkushaigustesse-haigestumine/hiv-ja-aids

Monkeypox: Q&A and update

Simon Collins, HIV i-Base

MPV blister on a hand (US CDC)

This Q&A is about the recent cases of monkeypox virus (MPV) in the UK. It will be updated as new information becomes available.

Monkeypox virus (MPV) is still very rare in the UK. But the recent outbreak is significant though and needs to be taken seriously.

Information is organised into six sections

  1. MPV basics
  2. Prevention and transmission
  3. Testing and treatment
  4. MPV and HIV
  5. Other questions
  6. References and more information

1. MPV: first questions

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is an infection caused by the monkeypox virus (MPV).

MPV is usually rarely seen in the UK. However, during May 2022 MPV was reported in 79 people in the UK.

MPV also been reported in about 150 people in other countries. International travel links cases in the UK, Europe, Canada, the US and Australia.

The risk of MPV needs to be taken seriously. This is both for your individual health and so that it doesn’t become an established infection.

https://i-base.info/monkeypox/?fbclid=IwAR2S38RXPG5AXKe9mQs76XA5QdwOghi7uXqugX6Xvnjo2jafOa0_0nWoRL4&fs=e&s=cl

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hepatitis c testing ultimate guide

Did You Know Only 21% of people know they have HCV? How testing plays a role in ending hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection in the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus, or HCV. It is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. Today, most people become infected with the virus by sharing needles or through equipment used to prepare or inject drugs. However, it can also be spread through birth from an infected mother to child, through sexual contact, sharing personal items contaminated with blood such as razors and toothbrushes, unregulated tattooing, and some health care procedures such as injections, infected blood transfusions (very rare in Canada and the US, read more about the risk of diseases from blood transfusions a previous blog post), and needlestick injuries in healthcare settings.

The immediate period following infection is called the acute phase and lasts approximately six months. Many people do not experience symptoms during this phase, or if they do, they show non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and depression.

After six months, approximately 70%-85% of those infected with HCV will fail to clear the virus on their own, or spontaneously, and this is when hepatitis C becomes a chronic or long-term infection. This high rate showcases the importance of regular testing so that treatment, which is highly effective, can start right away.

What are the Symptoms?
Hepatitis C is a tricky virus and often presents in people with no symptoms, giving it its nickname, the silent killer. When a person does show symptoms (symptomatic), they often have:

Fever
Fatigue
Decreased appetite
Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
Dark urine and pale feces
Joint pain
Jaundice
Those who develop symptoms generally have an onset of two to twelve weeks (up to 26 weeks.)

Most people with chronic HCV infections are asymptomatic or have non-specific symptoms such as fatigue and depression. Many of those with chronic HCV infections develop liver diseases that can be severe, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

How Soon Can You Test and What Kinds of Tests Are Available?
Anti-HCV seroconversion occurs an average of 8-11 weeks after exposure, although there have been cases of delayed seroconversion in immunosuppressed people, such as those with HIV.

People with a recently acquired acute infection typically have detectable HCV RNA levels as early as 1-2 weeks after exposure to the virus.

https://www.insti.com/hepatitis-c-testing-ultimate-guide/

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WHO working closely with countries responding to monkeypox

WHO and partners are working to better understand the extent and cause of an outbreak of monkeypox. The virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers. The recent outbreaks reported across 11 countries so far are atypical, as they are occurring in non-endemic countries.

There are about 80 confirmed cases so far, and 50 pending investigations. More cases are likely to be reported as surveillance expands.

WHO is working with the affected countries and others to expand disease surveillance to find and support people who may be affected, and to provide guidance on how to manage the disease. We continue to convene meetings of experts and technical advisory groups (such as the meeting today of the Strategic & Technical Advisory Group on Infectious Hazards with Pandemic and Epidemic Potential [STAG-IH]) to share information on the disease and response strategies.

WHO continues to receive updates on the status of ongoing outbreaks in endemic countries.

Monkeypox spreads differently from COVID-19. WHO encourages people to stay informed from reliable sources, such as national health authorities, on the extent of the outbreak in their community (if any), symptoms and prevention.

As monkeypox spreads through close contact, the response should focus on the people affected and their close contacts. People who closely interact with someone who is infectious are at greater risk for infection: this includes health workers, household members and sexual partners.

Stigmatizing groups of people because of a disease is never acceptable. It can be a barrier to ending an outbreak as it may prevent people from seeking care, and lead to undetected spread.

https://www.who.int/news/item/20-05-2022-who-working-closely-with-countries-responding-to-monkeypox

 

European Testing Week(May 16-23, 2022)

European Testing Week is a European campaign that encourages partner organisations — in community, health care and policy institutions — throughout Europe to unite for one week twice a year to increase testing efforts and promote awareness on the benefits of earlier hepatitis and HIV testing. This initiative has progressed since its start in 2013 and has grown to be a widely recognised European event with hundreds of organisations participating every year. Each organisation volunteers their own time to organise their Testing Week activities and create incredible displays of a united effort to increase testing awareness.

Spring 2022 ETW (May 16-23, 2022) theme statement: In times of crisis, ensure access to safe testing services and linkage to care for the most marginalised groups.

📜You can acquaint yourself with the statement of the European Testing Week following the link ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ https://www.testingweek.eu/campaign-materials/statements/.

The current crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, combined with the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global public health emergency. Essential health services have been severely hampered and disrupted, including testing services for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

As millions are displaced across Europe, we must collaborate to ensure the availability of safe, voluntary, confidential testing for all who want to get tested and provide support services including prevention and linkage to care.

In case your organization is willing to join the campaign the registration is available at 👉👉👉 https://www.testingweek.eu/sign-up/

📝 You can view the list of all the registered participants at 👉 https://www.testingweek.eu/get-involved/participants/

📍 Following this link ➡️ https://www.testingweek.eu/campaign-materials/ you can find and use in your activities all the materials related to the European Testing Week.

📍 It’s important to mark events and information in social networks during the European Testing Week with hashtags #EuroTestWeek, #TestTreatPrevent and tag @EuroTestWeek on Twitter and Facebook.

📍 Download the 2022 Spring ETW logo (available in 15 different languages including English, Czech, Finnish, French, Georgian, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish Turkish, and Ukrainian) here ➡️ https://www.testingweek.eu/campaign-materials/etw-logos/

📍 You can also read interesting news and announcements in the organizers’ newsletter at ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/rh/setw2022_start_reminder

👆 Besides make sure your organization is on the European Test Finder http://www.testfinder.info/ . With the ongoing health crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, it is especially important that displaced people can find the nearest location for testing, treatment, and other support services related to HIV, viral hepatitis, STIs, and tuberculosis. If you are not registered yet but ready to provide information about your services, you can do so at 👉👉👉 https://www.testfinder.info/register.

EU Statement on the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, 17 May 2022

1434th meeting of the Committee of Ministers on 11 May 2022

  1. On the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), the European Union reaffirms its strong commitment to respect, protect and fulfil the full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons.
  2. Over the last 10 years, we have seen signs of progress worldwide, particularly in Europe. Yet, discrimination and exclusion on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI) persist, and levels of violence against LGBTI persons are alarming, even when underreported.
  3. LGBTI persons are particularly vulnerable to violence and discrimination during armed conflicts. Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine has put the spotlight on LGBTI persons both caught up in, and trying to, flee conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. There have been reports of transgender persons being hindered during their flight as well as incidents of violence against LGBTI persons. More needs to be done to offer them support, protection and safe spaces.
  4. We commend the Council of Europe’s work in this field, including through the European LGBTI Governmental Focal Points Network, and a dedicated working group of the Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion. The EU looks forward in particular to the Comprehensive review of the implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec (2010)5 on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity as well as its thematic dimensions and the future Recommendation on the equality of rights of intersex persons. In accordance with this year’s theme – Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights – we pledge our support for the right of all LGBTI persons in Europe and beyond to be free from physical violence, from so-called “conversion therapies” or forced sterilisation.
  5. 40 years after the ground-breaking case of Dudgeon v. the United Kingdom, the European Court of Human Rights continues to be a pioneer in upholding and strengthening the human rights of LGBTI persons across the Council of Europe membership. We also value the work of the Commissioner for Human Rights in this regard.
  6. 2022 is also the European Year of Youth: young persons, who often face rejection by their families and harassment online and offline, need to be accepted and valued for who they are. The proper implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec (2010)5 is particularly relevant in this regard, including its provisions on providing objective information with respect to sexual orientation and gender identity, for instance in school curricula and educational materials, and providing pupils and students with the necessary information, protection and support to enable them to live in accordance with their sexual orientation and gender identity.
  7. The EU looks forward to the annual IDAHOT+ Forum, the major European event regarding the promotion and safeguarding of LGBTI rights on our continent, which will take place in Limassol, Cyprus on 12 of May 2022, co-hosted by the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, with the support of the Council of Europe’s SOGI Unit.
  8. The EU will continue to speak up and act to affirm the human rights of LGBTI persons and we will combat violence and hate speech based on SOGI – in times of peace and in times of conflict. We will continue our efforts to promote legal, political and financial anti-discrimination measures in close co-operation with civil society and relevant Council of Europe bodies.

The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino and Ukraine

https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/council-europe/eu-statement-international-day-against-homophobia-transphobia-and-1_en

Join us to light a candle for memory of people who died from AIDS and COVID-19.

Join us to light a candle for memory of people who died from AIDS and COVID-19.

  1. Light a memorial candle on the terrace, balcony, garden or wherever it is comfortable for you
  2. Remember and pray for relatives, friends, acquaintances who have died of AIDS or COVID-19
  3. Share your memory and photos with us on social networks and donot forget to tag us #ehpv or @ EHPV – Estonian HIV-Positive Network.