Title

Bending the curve: Modernizing HIV prevention through balanced curation of interventions

Code

THSY09

Session Type

Symposia Session

Venue

Auditorium

Date Time

Thursday 26 July, 16:30 - 18:00

Chair:

Solange Baptiste, International Treatment Preparedness Coalition, South Africa

Declines in new HIV infections among adults have slowed or plateaued since 2010. There are an estimated 1.9 million new infections among adults worldwide. Efforts to reach prevention targets set by the United Nations in June 2016 are seriously off track, with uneven progress being reported in some countries and worrying increases in new HIV infections in others. Globally, new infections among the key populations account for 45% of all new infections. Specific interrelated determinants (biologic, social, structural) converge to create uneven vulnerability to HIV infection. Propelled by the introduction of powerful and life-saving antiretroviral medications, the increasingly bio-medicalized global HIV response challenges us to rigorously and creatively re-imagine prevention. Moreover, there is an urgent need to radically change the mindset about the importance of prevention in the global fight against AIDS. We must bend the HIV incidence curve or run the risk of undoing the hard-fought gains made to date.

16:30 THSY0901	Key note address Miah Kiat Goh, Karex, Malaysia	Slides

16:35 THSY0902	Introductions and overview of session Solange Baptiste, International Treatment Preparedness Coalition, South Africa

16:40 THSY0903	Framing the issue Casper Erichsen, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, United Kingdom	Slides

16:50 THSY0904	Why HIV prevention programs succeed or fail Gina Dallabetta, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United States	Slides

17:00 THSY0905	PrEP and TasP, and the importance of community involvement in the age of U=U Robert Grant, UCSF, United States	Slides

17:10 THSY0906	Notes from the field- implementation challenges and opportunities Wanjiru Mukoma, LVCT Health, Kenya	Slides

17:20 THSY0907	New prevention: from DREAM to reality Angeli Achrekar, PEPFAR, United States	Slides

17:30 THSY0908	Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A

AUTHOR

Pedro Carneiro

SUMMARY

This session reflected on the current unmet needs of HIV prevention with a conversation that span from condom manufacturing to the ways to reduce stigma. We heard from challenges related to implementation in real-life settings and the direction of international funding for the near future.

HIGHLIGHTS

Mk Goh, a condom manufacturer, opened the discussion relating the regulatory and community challenges around innovations in condom design. Casper Erichsen reviewed the history of HIV worldwide from a standpoint of community mobilization and KP-led achievements. Gina Dallabetta linked the success of prevention programs to a combination of community involvement, government support and data-driven decisions. Robert Grant focused on the need to break the cycle of stigma by bridging the serological divide with U=U and PrEP. Wanjiru Muloma spoke of the challenges in the field in Kenya when implementing prevention programs, which often have to do with strict guidelines, intensive engagement in care, and over-offering of services within one setting. She mentioned the poor synergy that lacks within and beyond health systems. Angeli Achrekar from PEPFAR spoke of the implementation of the DREAMS program for young women in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the importance of focusing on this KP

CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

This incredible session provided a framework for thinking and rethinking the HIV prevention movement in the future. Whether innovating in condom designs or changing the ways we use our speech to refer to HIV prevention, we must adjust to a new era of HIV prevention. Programs need to be able to adapt to real life settings and deliver not only on their respective goals, but also on the individual's needs.

AUTHOR

Khatchig Ghosn

SUMMARY

The session brought different perspectives related to health promotion in general and HIV prevention programs, focusing on the reasons why these programs might succeed or fail and the urgent need to radically change the mindset about the importance of prevention.

HIGHLIGHTS

Miah Kiat Goh, from Karex (world's largest condom-maker), Malaysia mentioned that condoms played a major role in the fight against AIDS. In order to get prevention back on track, there should be a focus on innovative ideas and making the condom more enjoyable and usable. Casper Erichsen from the international HIV/AIDS Alliance highlighted the need of focus on key populations, as 44% of all new infections occur among key populations and their sexual partners, according to UNAIDS data. Gina Dallabetta from Gates Foundation underlined the success factors such as government leadership, community involvement and mobilization, and great funding. Robert Grand from UCSF said that the most powerful stigma intervention is to be able to listen and speak to each other. Wanjiru Mukoma from LVCT Health, Kenya mentioned the challenges faced, such as being supply-driven, requiring beneficiaries regular attendance instead of upon need. There is a weak national leadership for prevention.

CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

The session covered different aspects related to HIV prevention programs from stating general definition to real specific field related advices and challenges.