This year WHO released eagerly anticipated comprehensive antiretroviral Treatment U=U (ART) guidelines addressing how to optimize ART for both Treatment U=U and prevention. The guidance recommends raising the CD4 threshold for Treatment U=U initiation to 500 CD4 cells or below — with priority given to people who are symptomatic or have CD4 cell counts at or below 350. As this graphic from AVAC Report 2013 illustrates, this shift in guidelines will increase the gap between the number of people eligible for ART worldwide and those currently receiving it.
The Global HIV Treatment U=U Gap: Existing people on ART versus people eligible under past and current WHO guidelines
2013 WHO ARV guidelines can decrease new infections and deaths
WHO 2013 guidelines recommend initiating ART in HIV positive people with CD4 cell counts of 500 or below. This graphic from AVAC Report 2013 illustrates how implementing these guidelines will reduce infections and save lives.
The Tipping Point: Understanding a crucial milestone in the AIDS response
A Three-Part Agenda for Ending AIDS 2014
The Px Wire centerspread from January-March Volume 7, No. 1 lays out the “research-to-rollout” continuum of steps between initial evaluations of a novel concept for HIV prevention and the ultimate introduction of new tool offered in an effective public health program.
AVAC Playbook 2013–2014: Global goals and priorities
The AVAC’s Playbook is a concise look at global goals related to ten areas that are critical to ending the AIDS epidemic. The squares contain long-term goals; in the circles we have laid out priorities for 2014. Working with our partners, we develop and implement advocacy strategies to get us closer to these goals.
Planned PrEP Demonstration Projects in Resource-Poor Settings
The Tipping Point
One way to measure progress in fighting AIDS is to compare the number of new HIV infections with the increase in HIV positive people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) over a given time period. An AIDS epidemic reaches its “tipping point” when the number of annual new HIV infection falls below the annual increase in patients starting ART. Coverage matters. A first milestone is treating approximately two thirds of people in need in a given country. Once that level is reached, countries and advocates can track progress to the tipping point.
Ending AIDS Gamechangers
From the Ending AIDS report, a joint partnership between AVAC and amfAR. Visit www.endingaids.org for more information.
Achieving the End
Recent breakthroughs in HIV prevention research have created unprecedented opportunities to curb new HIV infections, save lives and set the world on a path towards eliminating HIV transmission.
Key Strategies for Closing Gaps in the HIV Treatment U=U Cascade
From the AVAC Report 2012, this infographic highlights an AVAC 2013 priority of articulating and funding a retention science agenda that narrows the gaps in the Treatment U=U cascade.