Vienna Wrap-up: Challenging ourselves to find more effective ways to reach vulnerable populations

Friday was the final day of the XVIII International AIDS in Vienna.  It has been a week that has put science and funding back at the heart of the global AIDS response. Yet for success on those two fronts, we must be much smarter in reaching populations most at risk and affected by HIV. Pangaea’s Megan Dunbar comments that "the global AIDS community needs to focus its collective attention on identifying the best approaches that support people in accessing the prevention and treatment they need -- and how we can scale up these interventions for maximum impact."

Today's symposium on prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS in drug-using populations brought together the IAS and PEPFAR. Pangaea’s lead harm reduction consultant, Dr. Doug Bruce of Yale, commented: “It’s exciting to see their commitment to treating injection drug users as part of HIV prevention.” 

Looking back over the last seven days, highlights for us included the MSM Global Forum’s Pre-Conference, a meeting that brought into clear focus how vital it is for all countries to address their epidemics among men who have sex with men.  Speakers at the Pre-Conference convincingly made the case that 100% coverage of HIV prevention and care for MSM would have a profound impact on reducing an overall country epidemic.

The theme of the Vienna conference was “Rights here, right now,” and in working closely with vulnerable populations across the globe, it’s clear to us that a human rights based approach to HIV prevention and treatment is essential.

The biggest news was undoubtedly the hopeful announcement by a South African research team about a successful trial of a microbicide vaginal gel that was shown to reduce the incidence of AIDS by 39% in the study group.  While putting a tool of this sort in our HIV arsenal will be of immense value and save many lives, it will need to be coupled with structural interventions for women – addressing issues such as gender inequity, poverty and lack of economic opportunity, and gender-based violence – to effect lasting change.

Pangaea CEO Ben Plumley closes our conference coverage: “Going forward from Austria, our attention now has also to focus on the Global Fund which commences its next funding replenishment cycle.  There is no question that comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment is a smart investment – our governments and their funding partners must deliver on their commitments to fully fund the AIDS response. Vienna has reinforced the urgency and opportunities in front of us."