Selected reports launched at AIDS 2022

Simon Collins, HIV i-Base

The report from UNAIDS was widely publicised as the conference opened and set the tone for most of the concerns about the importance of maintaining a global response to HIV.

The report shows that during the last two years of COVID-19 and other crises, the global HIV response has faltered, resources have shrunk, and millions of lives are at risk as a result.

Annual infections have increased in Eastern Europe and central Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa, where rates were all previously falling.

The report is a call to action to tackle the inequalities driving AIDS. This is urgently required to prevent further new infections and to refocus our goals to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030. 

Refs:

1. UNAIDS. Full report — In Danger: UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2022. (27 July 2022).
   https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2022/in-danger-global-aids-update (full report)
2. UNAIDS press release. Millions of lives at risk as progress against AIDS falters. (28 July 2022).
   https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2022/july/20220727_global-aids-update

Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) Impact Report, 2022

CHAI

This concise 20-page report looks in detail at progress made since 2019 to avert preventable deaths among people with advanced HIV, best practices for implementation, and CHAI’s perspective of what more will be needed to effectively end deaths from AHD-related opportunistic infections.

It reports that in 2020, there were still 680,000 AIDS-related deaths and that this was only 6% lower than the previous year.

Of these deaths, 210,000 were from TB and 85,000 from cryptococcal meningitis.

Advanced HIV disease contributes to these deaths, as AHD increases the risk of opportunistic infections and mortality.

This report covers both diagnostics and treatments for HIV, TB and related complications.

1. CHAI. Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) Impact Report. (29 July 2022).
   https://www.clintonhealthaccess.org/report/chai-publishes-2022-advanced-hiv-disease-impact-report (source page)
   https://3cdmh310dov3470e6x160esb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AHD-Impact-Report-2022-Final.pdf (PDF, full report)

WHO guidelines on long-acting cabotegravir for HIV PrEP

This 15-page guideline outlines the rationale and evidence for a new recommendation to support the importance of long-acting cabotegravir injections (CAB-LA) as PrEP to prevent HIV.

This is a significant achievement driven by HIV advocates from the global south to demand access to the latest prevention options. CAB-LA was approved in the US and Europe based on results from international studies that were run in low-income countries that have some of the highest rates of HIV incidence.

Consistent with previous WHO guidelines, this guideline is based on a public health approach that considers effectiveness, acceptability, feasibility and resource needs across a variety of settings.

This guideline also highlights important considerations for effective implementation and the need for implementation science to address research gaps across a variety of geographies and populations.

Refs

1. WHO press release. WHO recommends long-acting cabotegravir for HIV prevention. (28 July 2022).
   https://www.who.int/news/item/28-07-2022-who-recommends-long-acting-cabotegravir-for-hiv-prevention
2. WHO. Guidelines on long-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV prevention. (28 July 2022).
   https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240054097

TAG pipeline report chapters

The following sections of the annual TAG pipeline report were published in July 2022 for AIDS 2022.

All chapters can be downloaded as PDF files.

• HIV  antiretroviral therapy – Richard Jefferys. 
• HIV vaccines and passive immunisation – Richard Jefferys.
• PrEP and microbicides  – Richard Jefferys.
• Research toward a cure and immune-based therapies – Richard Jefferys.
• Long-Acting Technologies Trials Tracker for Hep C, Opioid Use and Overdose Prevention Therapy, and Malaria – Joelle Dountio.

Ref:

1. TAG. Early sections of the annual pipeline report. (July 2022)
   https://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/resources/pipeline-report/2022-pipeline-report

Advocates guide to research in pregnant and lactating populations

AVAC

A resource that provides background on the need for research in pregnant and lactating populations and how advocates can advance inclusion.

Reference

1. AVAC. An advocate’s guide to research in pregnant and lactating populations. (July 2022).
   https://www.avac.org/resource/advocate’s-guide-research-pregnant-and-lactating-populations