Munich. While there have been significant successes in the fight once morest HIV and AIDS, immense challenges remain. The 25th World AIDS Conference in Munich next week will focus on potential new approaches to combat the disease. “AIDS 2024” aims to mobilize political, scientific, and social forces to make treatment accessible to people living with HIV worldwide, said Christoph Spinner, the conference’s local chairman, before the meeting, which begins on July 22. This gathering, the world’s largest addressing the subject of HIV and AIDS, takes place in Germany for the first time in three decades; in 1993, scientists, health experts, and activists convened in Berlin.
More than 10,000 guests expected
At the invitation of the International AIDS Society (IAS), over 10,000 participants from more than 175 countries are expected in Munich until July 26. The conference will focus on strategies to further contain the spread of the HIV virus and the associated immune deficiency syndrome, AIDS. New medical discoveries, social influences, and political implications will also be discussed. According to organizers, the opening will be addressed by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Concern regarding political developments
Experts are concerned regarding political developments worldwide and the rise of right-wing and extremist forces in many countries, which increase the risk of discrimination and persecution once morest LGBTQ+ communities. The German AIDS Aid organization notes that individuals often avoid testing or medical treatment out of fear of being discovered. “Where homosexuality, sex work, and drug addiction are persecuted, the numbers [of HIV infections] rise,” explained spokesman Holger Wicht. “Wherever the affected groups are treated with hostility, a huge problem for prevention arises,” added Peter Wiessner of the Action Alliance once morest AIDS.
In Vladimir Putin’s Russia, for instance, those affected face growing discrimination, and reliable data on the development of HIV numbers is absent, says Wicht. “Gay men in Russia are being stigmatized even more, and the climate for them is becoming increasingly hostile.”
Since 2023, Uganda has imposed the death penalty for “serious homosexuality.” Global organizations such as UNAIDS, the UN program combating AIDS, fear that this new law jeopardizes the country’s significant progress in the fight once morest HIV.
Wicht also points out that a different climate is already emerging in Germany, fueled by right-wing forces. “People in Germany also feel that a different wind is blowing, that they are more threatened. We are increasingly hearing regarding violence once morest queer people. It seems that hostility is increasing, and that scares people – and can lead to a greater withdrawal.”
A look at the USA
Experts are also concerned regarding the situation in the USA leading up to the presidential elections. They believe that if Donald Trump were to return to power, it would not only increase discrimination once morest risk groups, but also weaken funding for various programs.
The USA is currently among the largest donors to AIDS programs. According to UNAIDS, bilateral funding recently accounted for regarding 58 percent of all international HIV aid. Another 29 percent came from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM), with the remaining portion from other international donors.
Current situation – international
According to UNAIDS data, an estimated 1.3 million people worldwide contract HIV every year, and almost 40 million people are living with the virus. One person still dies from AIDS-related illnesses each minute.
These numbers are particularly rising in Eastern Europe, making the situation there a focus of the conference. UNAIDS reported a 72 percent increase in the number of cases in Eastern Europe and Asia between 2010 and 2019.
The majority of global infections continue to occur in Africa, said infectious disease specialist Spinner from the University Hospital rechts der Isar at the Technical University of Munich.
Girls and young women face a disproportionate risk. According to UNAIDS, 4,000 young women worldwide are infected every week, over 3,000 of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Young women in this region are three times more likely to be infected than men of the same age. This disparity can be attributed to a lack of education, prevention programs, and support, says Wiessner. “The inequality between men and women is a real driver of the pandemic.”
Current situation – Germany
After a recent downward trend in new HIV infections among homosexual and bisexual men—likely due to the advent of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)—Germany has seen a long-standing increase in new HIV infections. This trend primarily affects intravenous drug users but also heterosexuals, as current figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) show. Last year, an estimated 2,200 people were newly infected with HIV.
In Germany, HIV diagnoses are often delayed, with diagnoses frequently occurring years following infection. It is estimated that around one in ten people living with HIV are unaware of their infection, posing a risk of unknowingly transmitting the virus, said Spinner. About one in five diagnoses are only made following the onset of AIDS.
“HIV transmission primarily occurs through individuals whose HIV infection has not been diagnosed,” states the RKI. “Using condoms remains a cornerstone of preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted pathogens.”
Access to medicines
Left untreated, the HIV virus can lead to the immune deficiency disease AIDS. However, antiviral drugs, when administered promptly, allow those infected to live largely normal lives. Successful treatment also prevents further transmission.
According to UNAIDS, however, a quarter of people living with HIV worldwide still lack access to treatment, increasing the risk of further spread. The situation is especially concerning for the youngest children, as only half of HIV-positive children can receive life-saving medication.
PrEP is unavailable in many parts of the world and often remains unfamiliar in Europe except among gay and bisexual men. When taken well beforehand during potentially risky encounters, these drugs can effectively prevent infection.
End of the epidemic by 2030?
Although the high numbers may not reflect it, significant progress has already been made in the fight once morest HIV and AIDS: since the peak of new infections in 1995, when an estimated 3.2 million people were infected, the number has more than halved, according to UNAIDS. The number of deaths has been reduced to regarding one-third since 2004, when around two million people died.
The UN has set a goal of reducing AIDS-related deaths by over 90 percent by 2030. By next year—one of the interim goals—AIDS should no longer be considered a risk to global health. However, UNAIDS and other programs are facing a funding crisis. Funding cuts are threatened in some countries, said IAS spokesman Bijan Farnoudi. This means that highly effective drugs, some of which might also be used for prevention, remain inaccessible to many, especially in the Global South.
Munich Hosts 25th World AIDS Conference: AIDS 2024 Focuses on New Approaches and Challenges
Despite significant progress in the fight once morest HIV and AIDS, the global community faces immense challenges. The 25th World AIDS Conference, “AIDS 2024,” taking place in Munich from July 22 to 26, will address these challenges and explore potential new approaches to ensure treatment accessibility for individuals living with HIV worldwide.
More than 10,000 Guests Expected
Organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS), the conference is expected to attract over 10,000 participants from more than 175 countries. Discussions will center on various aspects of HIV and AIDS, including:
- Strategies to further curb the spread of the HIV virus
- New medical discoveries and advancements
- Social and political influences impacting the fight once morest HIV and AIDS
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz is slated to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony, highlighting the importance of this global gathering.
Concern About Political Developments
Experts express deep concerns regarding political developments worldwide, specifically the rise of right-wing and extremist forces in many nations. This trend poses a significant risk of discrimination and persecution once morest LGBTQ communities, potentially hindering access to testing, treatment, and prevention services.
“Wherever homosexuality, sex work, and drug addiction are persecuted, the numbers rise,” explains Holger Wicht, spokesperson for the German AIDS Aid organization. “Wherever the affected groups are treated with hostility, a huge problem for prevention arises,” adds Peter Wiessner from the Action Alliance once morest AIDS.
The situation in Russia, under Vladimir Putin’s leadership, exemplifies this worrying trend. Wicht highlights the rising discrimination and lack of reliable data on HIV infection rates. He points out that gay men are increasingly stigmatized, creating a hostile environment that further hinders prevention efforts.
In Uganda, the enactment of the death penalty for “serious homosexuality” in 2023 has raised serious alarm among global organizations like UNAIDS, the UN program to combat AIDS. There is a genuine fear that this legislation might jeopardize the significant progress made in the fight once morest HIV in Uganda.
Even in Germany, a shift towards a less tolerant climate driven by right-wing forces is evident, observes Wicht. “People in Germany also feel that a different wind is blowing, that they are more threatened. We are increasingly hearing regarding violence once morest queer people. It seems that hostility is increasing, and that scares people – and can lead to a greater withdrawal.”
A Look at the USA
The upcoming US presidential election has also sparked concerns among experts. A potential return of Donald Trump to power might potentially lead to increased discrimination once morest at-risk groups and a reduction in funding for critical AIDS programs.
The US currently stands as one of the largest contributors to global AIDS programs. According to UNAIDS, bilateral funding from the US accounts for approximately 58 percent of all international HIV aid. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) contributes an additional 29 percent, with the remaining portion coming from other international donors.
Current Situation – International
UNAIDS data estimates that around 1.3 million individuals are newly infected with HIV each year globally, with nearly 40 million living with the virus. Tragically, one person dies every minute from AIDS-related illnesses.
A significant increase in HIV infection rates, particularly in Eastern Europe, is a major concern for the international community. According to UNAIDS, between 2010 and 2019, the number of cases in Eastern Europe and Asia rose by 72 percent.
Despite these rising numbers, the majority of global HIV infections continue to occur in Africa, explains infectious disease specialist Christoph Spinner from the University Hospital rechts der Isar at the Technical University of Munich.
Young women and girls are disproportionately affected. UNAIDS reports that 4,000 young women are infected with HIV every week globally, with over 3,000 of these cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Young women in this region are three times more likely to become infected than men of the same age group. This disparity is often attributed to lack of access to education, prevention strategies, and support services, highlights Wiessner. He emphasizes that “inequality between men and women is a real driver of the pandemic.”
Current Situation – Germany
While a recent downward trend in new HIV infections among homosexual and bisexual men, attributed to the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), has been observed, Germany is witnessing a long-standing increase in HIV infections overall. This rise mainly affects intravenous drug users, alongside heterosexuals, as indicated by data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). In 2023, an estimated 2,200 individuals were diagnosed with HIV in Germany.
A significant concern in Germany relates to the delayed diagnosis of HIV infections. It is estimated that around one in ten people living with HIV in Germany are unaware of their infection, posing a risk of unknowingly transmitting the virus, explains Spinner. Approximately one in five HIV diagnoses in Germany occur only following the onset of AIDS.
“HIV is primarily transmitted by people whose HIV infection has not yet been diagnosed,” emphasizes the RKI. “Using condoms remains a cornerstone of the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted pathogens.”
Access to Medicines
Untreated HIV infection can lead to the development of AIDS, a life-threatening immune deficiency disease. Antiviral drugs have revolutionized HIV treatment, enabling individuals to live essentially normal lives when treated early. Successful treatment also effectively prevents further transmission of the virus.
However, according to UNAIDS, a staggering quarter of people living with HIV globally still lack access to treatment, posing a significant risk for continued spread. The situation is even more alarming for children, with only half of HIV-infected children receiving life-saving medication.
PrEP, a highly effective preventative strategy, remains unavailable in many parts of the world and is often unknown in Europe, except among gay and bisexual men. This medication, when taken before exposure to HIV, can effectively prevent infection.
End of the Epidemic by 2030?
Despite the ongoing challenges, the fight once morest HIV and AIDS has achieved significant progress. Since the peak of new infections in 1995, when an estimated 3.2 million new infections occurred, the number has been more than halved, according to UNAIDS. Similarly, AIDS-related deaths have been reduced to nearly one-third since 2004, when around two million people died annually.
The UN has set an ambitious goal of reducing AIDS-related deaths by over 90 percent by 2030. One of the intermediate targets aims to eliminate AIDS as a significant threat to global health by 2025.
However, UNAIDS and other organizations fighting once morest HIV and AIDS face a critical funding crisis. Funding cuts are being threatened in several countries, highlighting a significant challenge in ensuring access to highly effective drugs, including those used for prevention, for individuals in the Global South, warns IAS spokesperson Bijan Farnoudi.
The 25th World AIDS Conference in Munich serves as a crucial platform for global collaboration, advocating for increased funding, improved treatment accessibility, and a unified approach to ending the AIDS epidemic.
