A Lancet Commission on HIV/AIDS has warned that a resurgence of the HIV epidemic is likely as the largest generation of young people ages into adolescence and adulthood.
The Commission, led by the International AIDS Society, says that despite initial optimism, the HIV pandemic is not on track to end by 2030 and current approaches are not enough to control the spread of the virus. They call for immediate increased funding to avert another epidemic.
“The HIV response must take bolder action to remove social and structural barriers to good health; this includes dismantling the global war on drugs, repealing laws that criminalise same-sex relations, and eliminating laws that criminalise HIV exposure, non-disclosure, or transmission,” the report states.
The authors add that HIV researchers and healthcare professionals need to work more closely with their counterparts in global health to win the fight against HIV. They recommend that HIV services should be incorporated into wider health services and screening programmes, and global health policies, with a particular focus on high-risk, marginalised populations.
The new Lancet Commission will be officially launched on Thursday 26th July at the AIDS 2018 conference in Amsterdam.