#Hiring: Australia’s national peak HIV organisation, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), is loo… https://t.co/Ql3mM0XopQ
Joanne Leamy
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.
NSW HIV strategy and HIV treatment cascade
Great session on the HIV Treatment Cascade and moving towards the elimination of
HIV in New South Wales.
The HIV cascade: a review of methodology and data sources
Nick Medland from Melbourne sexual health reminded us of the components of the HIV treatment cascade and importance of measuring those components.
He said that the cascade should be able to allow comparisons over time, place and sub populations.
He reported on the review of published and unpublished cascades in March 2015 - found 13 cascades. The differences in the methodology and data sources of the cascades limited comparison.
Dr Kerry Chant, Chief Health Officer, NSW Health
Dr Chant reported on working toward virtual elimination of HIV in new by 2010.
Test more, treat early and prevent are the targets.
She said that the principles underpinning their work are building on strong partnership and strong community involvement. She also acknowledged the work of community partners such as ACON.
She highlighted the importance of real time monitoring and quarterly reporting, in order to be responsive. She presented NSW HIV testing data - showing sustained year on year testing increases, and reported on new HIV diagnoses up to June 2015 - noting a drop in MSM notifications.
What NSW is doing
Promoting HIV testing and making it easier to have a test.
Looking at reducing missed screening opportunities - eg Emergency Departments and General Practitioners
Support ART update - a lot of community mobilisation.
Prevention - condoms and PrEP
Revision of NSW Sexual Health Strategy involves
Improving access to PrEP
Improving contact tracing for contacts of HIV
Supporting HIV testing in general practice as GPs are important case finders
Early treatment uptake
Ensure people living with HIV are linked and retained in care
Dr Chant concluded by stating the importance of the States and Territories working with clinicians; Knowing each State's epidemiology; and importance of better data by more investment in data collection.
Tagged in:
HIVAIDS2015
Trackback URL for this blog entry.
