WHO early-release guideline on HIV treatment and prevention
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently published an early-release guideline which recommends that antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be initiated in everyone living with HIV regardless of CD4 cell count and that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) be offered to people at ‘substantial risk’ of HIV as an additional preventative option. These recommendations are based on evidence from clinical trials and observational studies released over the last two years and were developed as part of a comprehensive update of the WHO consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for preventing and treating HIV infection. The guideline has been released ahead of the full publication because of the potential public health impact.
>WHO - news release - 30 Sept 2015
>Guideline
>Statements by partner agencies in support of guideline
United Nations (UN) new sustainable development agenda and goals
A new set of global goals was ratified by UN member states at the General Assembly on 25 September 2015. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will set the framework for global development policy over the next 15 years, including in the areas of HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health. There are 17 SDGs and 169 targets including ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 (target 3.3), ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services by 2030 (target 3.7), eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (target 5.2), eliminating harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriages and female genital mutilation (target 5.3) and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights (target 5.6). Click on the links below to access the new sustainable development agenda and the accompanying set of SDGs and targets.
>Transforming our world: the 2030 sustainable agenda for 2030 - Sept 2015
>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
How AIDS changed everything : MDG 6 - 15 years, 15 lessons of hope from the AIDS response
This report from UNAIDS celebrates the achievements of the last 15 years, including meeting the AIDS targets of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6 of halting and reversing the spread of HIV. With over 15 million people now on antiretroviral treatment, it looks at the significant impact the AIDS response has had on people’s lives and livelihoods, on families, communities and economies. It also includes specific lessons to take forward into the new SDGs to pave the way for ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
>UNAIDS - MDG 6 - press release - July 2015
>Full report
>Executive summary
>Factsheet
>Epidemiology slides
Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health
The Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health 2016-2030 was also launched at this year’s UN General Assembly. The strategy was developed through an extensive consultation process involving governments, civil society, the private sector, UN agencies and other constituencies. A BMJ Special Supplement has also been produced to look at how the strategy can be translated into transformative actions.
>Press release - 26 Sept 2015
>Strategy document downloads
>BMJ Special Supplement
WHO/UNAIDS Global Standards for quality healthcare services for adolescents
The aim of the new Global Standards for quality healthcare services for adolescents recently launched by WHO and UNAIDS is to improve the quality of healthcare services so that adolescents find it easier to obtain the health services that they need to promote, protect and improve their sexual health and well-being. AIDS is the second primary cause of death among adolescents globally and the Standards call for an inclusive package of information, counselling, diagnostic, treatment and care services that go beyond the traditional focus on sexual and reproductive health.
>WHO - press release - 6 Oct 2015
>Policy brief
>Standards, implementation and other downloads
Ending violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people
Twelve UN agencies have called for an end to violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) adults, adolescents and children. In a recently released joint statement the agencies set out specific steps to protect these individuals from violence, discrimination and discriminatory laws.
>UN - news - 29 September 2015
>Joint statement
WHO policy brief: Transgender people and HIV
This technical brief summarises essential information and existing WHO recommendations for HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care among transgender populations.
>WHO - publication - July 2015
>Document