back to top The Global Agenda "Getting Us to Zero"
The race to get to zero is nearing its end. From Myanmar to Jamaica, Francophone Africa to the Baltic States, Europe to North America, global targets are coming into sight.
As the 25th World AIDS Day approaches it is time to contemplate our successes, and to evaluate our shortfalls. The global response to HIV and AIDS has improved, moreso in some countries than others; but now is the time for evidence to be made into lasting results. In the coming weeks AVERT will be unveiling ‘Reflections on the Epidemic’, a collection of insights into the global HIV epidemic from leaders and icons from around the world.
Targets established by the United Nations 2011 ‘Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS’ set a challenging course, but many countries are enduring. Reducing, by 2015, new HIV infections among children by 90 percent and keeping their mothers alive would be an unprecedented milestone to reach. Achieving such a target is key to an AIDS free generation. With a number of priority countries, such as Zimbabwe and Côte d'Ivoire, already on track to reach this goal so far, the outlook is positive.
Placing 15 million people on HIV treatment by 2015 means that the current number receiving treatment must increase nearly twofold over the next three years. With an estimated 7 million people unaware of their HIV-positive status in low- and middle-income countries alone, this target is reliant on the elimination of stigma, an increase in knowledge about HIV and the benefits of treatment, and a greater uptake in testing.
Nevertheless, the ever-increasing number of people accessing treatment, an extra 1.4 million since 2010 according to preliminary figures, suggests that this commitment can be realised.
"Getting to Zero" relies on doing more of what works and is needed; whether that is greater investment in the Francophone states; the elimination of homophobic laws in Jamaica or greater political commitment in Africa and Asia. In Europe, the United Kingdom has recently allowed free HIV treatment for immigrants regardless of immigration status, a move showing political will to stop the epidemic.
'Reflect on the Epidemic' this World AIDS Day. Consider what you can do to increase knowledge, decrease stigma and curb new HIV infections in your community.
