ASHM Report Back
Clinical posts from members and guests of the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) from various international medical and scientific conferences on HIV, AIDS, viral hepatitis, and sexual health.
Who's left behind in the virtual elimination of HIV?
Dr Roanna Lobo
There has been significant progress towards the virtual elimination of new HIV transmissions in Australia by 2020. This is evident by collaboration and community partnerships, combination of prevention strategies such as PrEP, PeP and TasP and the quality of life focus for PLHIV.
Despite this there are still many challenges with late diagnoses and undiagnosed rates higher in Aboriginal peoples, heterosexuals, SE Asian populations, CaLD communities and other regional communities. There is both a moral and human rights approach to leave no-one behind.
How can this be achieved -
- Equitable access to new HIV testing, harm reduction services and biomedical intervention for groups at highest risk
- Reduce barriers to accessing treatment and care
- Increase health literacy
- Meaningful involvement with affected communities
- Shared care models
- Improved data and surveillance, research and evaluation
- Continued investment and partnerships