World AIDS Day – November 25th, 2015 MMWR

• Most comprehensive study of its kind shows that women with HIV are far more likely to be on HIV treatment than men in developing countries: CDC researchers found women with HIV were more likely to access HIV treatment than men in all but one of the 12 developing countries included in the analysis. The study also found that the gender imbalance in HIV treatment access appears to be worsening in many of the countries analyzed. Routine HIV testing and counseling in antenatal care, universal treatment eligibility for pregnant women with HIV, and differences in the way men and women seek healthcare were cited as key factors for the gender disparity. Authors call for the adoption of tailored strategies designed to reach more men with HIV testing and linkage-to-care services.
• Results from a CDC analysis providing the first evidence that nationwide HIV viral load testing can be achieved in resource-limited settings: Viral load testing maximizes HIV treatment effectiveness and facilitates viral suppression. WHO recommends routine viral load testing as a key component of the global strategy to end the HIV epidemic. CDC’s analysis provides important insights from the initial experience of seven sub-Saharan African countries implementing nationwide viral load testing programs.

Click for a high resolution photo of Dr. Shannon Hader

“On World AIDS Day, we remember the millions who have died tragically and before their times; we celebrate the remarkable scientific achievements that have given us tools to fight back and to envision a brighter future; and we recommit to taking the next actions needed to bring about the end to HIV as a public health threat. At this time—nearly 35 years into the epidemic—we have more tools and knowledge than ever before to fight HIV. Maximizing these tools requires working together to confront and overcome the challenges that remain. With the global population of young people expected to dramatically increase over the next five years, we must also step up efforts to help both young men and young women stay HIV-free, especially in the developing world.

On this World AIDS Day, CDC stands with our U.S. government colleagues and partners around the world in affirming our collective resolve to meet the ambitious but achievable goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030. The path forward is clearer than ever, and the time to act is now.”

• Interview opportunities - with subject matter experts:
  • Shannon Hader, M.D., Director, CDC Division of Global HIV and TB
  • Andrew Auld, MD, MSc, Medical Officer, Adult HIV Treatment Team, and lead author of the MMWR study on HIV treatment utilization by gender
  • Shirley Lecher, MD, MPH, Associate Chief for Clinical Laboratory Practice, and lead author of the MMWR study on viral load testing
• MMWR Articles - CDC’s MMWR articles on gender disparities in HIV treatment access and viral load testing in developing nations
• Infographic – on the global HIV epidemic and CDC’s global HIV efforts click here to download
• Feature story - Priscilla’s story as an HIV positive mother of three HIV free children is a story of hope for all women living with HIV