A global study of real-world circumcision rollout in South Africa found a marked reduction (>60 percent) of HIV acquisition among circumcised adult men. This is the first time such a large-scale community-level intervention has shown effectiveness in curbing HIV transmission.
Researchers focus on HIV cure research, highlighting the need for proactive outreach programs to prevent transmission in injecting drug users. The conference also emphasizes the importance of improving maternal and child health in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
The International AIDS Society will launch a Virtual Knowledge Centre to improve knowledge and strengthened operations research capacity for HIV/OST programmes in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The centre aims to create an increased Russian-language evidence base around OST, harm reduction, and HIV.
Researchers stress need for long-term response to AIDS, citing financing, retention, and socio-political instability as major challenges. Social scientists urged to take part in policy-making table.
The HPTN 052 study found that early initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission to uninfected partners, with a 96% reduction in transmissions. Early cART also benefits the infected individual by maintaining higher CD4 counts and reducing HIV-related illnesses or death.
Researchers call for integrated strategies to prevent HIV infection, building on progress in vaccine research and the development of a vaginal gel. A combination of biomedical and non-biomedical approaches is seen as crucial to address the evolving landscape of HIV prevention.
The Rome Statement for an HIV Cure aims to accelerate HIV cure research by building a global consensus on the state of HIV reservoirs and defining scientific priorities. The strategy recognizes the importance of developing a safe, accessible, and scalable HIV cure as a therapeutic and preventive strategy against HIV infection.
The International AIDS Society advocates for an expanded global HIV strategy that incorporates 'Treatment as Prevention' to reduce transmission and prevent the onset of AIDS. This approach promotes widespread HIV testing and facilitated access to free treatment for all medically eligible individuals.
The IAS and NIDA have awarded fellowships to young researchers from China and Indonesia to study the linkages between drug use and HIV. The fellowships will support research in clinical science, law, and public health to improve strategies targeting HIV infections related to drug use.
The International AIDS Society announced six winners of prestigious scientific awards to be presented at the 6th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention. These awards recognize innovative HIV research throughout the world, highlighting the challenges faced by women and girls in the epidemic.
The XVIII International AIDS Conference presented strong scientific findings on HIV research and program scale-up, emphasizing the need for increased funding and human rights protection. Delegates renewed their commitment to securing universal access to prevention, care, treatment, and support.
The lack of access to scientifically proven interventions for key populations at risk and the lagging scale-up of treatment regimens threaten future progress on AIDS. Organizers call for an end to passive neglect and active denial of life-saving health services, information, and tools.
Georgian leaders sign Vienna Declaration to strengthen call for science-based drug policy, emphasizing harm reduction and evidence-based treatment. The declaration aims to improve community health and safety by incorporating scientific evidence into illicit drug policies.
The International AIDS Society launches a new report recommending a science-based approach to scaling up treatment and prevention of HIV amongst Injecting Drug Users (IDUs). The 'Seek, test, treat and retain' model advocates for expanding outreach, testing, treatment, and retention services within the criminal justice system.
Researchers gathered for a workshop to review and debate the latest research on HIV reservoirs, with the goal of controlling or eradicating the virus. Despite advances in antiretroviral therapy, HIV remains hidden in certain cells, making lifelong treatment necessary.
The International AIDS Conference promotes novel treatment methods, antiretroviral-based prevention options and the development of a cure. Key findings include the potential use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent infections and the need for universal access to lifesaving treatment.
The CAPRISA 004 trial results demonstrate the effectiveness of a 1% tenofovir gel in reducing a woman's risk of HIV transmission. This breakthrough provides a tool for women to take control of their health and protect themselves from HIV infection.
The International AIDS Society (IAS) has announced the winners of four prestigious scientific awards, recognizing innovative HIV and AIDS research. The Women, Girls and HIV Investigator Prize was awarded to Naina Rani for her work on mainstreaming the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission program in India.
The International AIDS Society has awarded $3.4 million in grants to 10 early-stage researchers from diverse scientific disciplines, aiming to advance HIV understanding and prevention approaches. The grantees will collaborate with CFAR institutions to explore pressing scientific questions on long-term survival and HIV transmission.
Three former Latin American presidents have signed the Vienna Declaration, calling for the incorporation of scientific evidence into illicit drug policies. The declaration aims to improve community health and safety by reducing consumption and harm caused by drugs.
The International AIDS Society and National Institute on Drug Abuse have awarded fellowships to seven young researchers from around the world to study the intersection of drug use and HIV. The recipients will receive US$75,000 each to pursue groundbreaking research in biology, epidemiology, public health, behavioral sciences, and more.
The Vienna Declaration urges governments and international organizations to adopt evidence-based approaches to illicit drug policy, recognizing addiction as a medical condition. This declaration aims to reduce harms deriving from current policies and redirect resources towards prevention, treatment, and harm reduction interventions.
The International AIDS Society calls on donors to uphold their commitment to universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care by 2015. Failure to do so would lead to a surge in infections, illness, and death, undermining the credibility of the G8.