2024-11-22 18:09:00
In 2023, nearly 5,500 new people will be diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in France. This is an estimate from Public Health France (SPF) after correction of the raw number of seropositivity discovered (3,877 cases), in order to take into account the under-reporting of cases.
“For several years, the number of new HIV contaminations has no longer declined in France, even though we have all the tools to prevent transmission”lamented Professor Yazdan Yazdanpanah, director of the National Agency for AIDS Research-Emerging Infectious Diseases (ANRS-MIE), during a press conference on November 21.
That same day, eleven new recommendations on HIV care were presented at the annual congress of the French Society for the Fight against AIDS, in Biarritz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). The three co-authors, the ANRS-MIE, the High Authority for Health (HAS) and the National AIDS Council (CNS), notably scrutinized several key points: social determinants of infection, preventive treatments, diagnosis and monitoring of people living with HIV, HIV and pregnancy, adaptation of antiretroviral treatments, etc.
43% of infections discovered at a late stage
Since 2012, the number of HIV discoveries has decreased by 10%. But if we except the year 2020, marked by a sharp drop linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, this number has stagnated since 2018 and has even rebounded since 2020. “ This increase particularly affects people born abroad”, note the experts, particularly women infected through heterosexual intercourse and men who have sex with men (MSM).
Another concern, in 2023, 43% of HIV infections were discovered at a late stage (between 200 and 350 CD4 cells per cubic millimeter of blood), including 27% at an advanced stage (AIDS stage), with less than 200 CD4 cells. per cubic millimeter of blood. Between contamination and diagnosis, the median time was 1.9 years for all people discovering their HIV status, and three years for heterosexual men born abroad. This delay is a loss of individual opportunity. It also increases the risk of viral transmission, an undiagnosed and untreated person being able to contaminate their partners. Conversely, “if the virus is undetectable in the blood, it is untransmissible, relève Yazdan Yazdanpanah. Screening therefore remains the primary prevention tool. »
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What factors do you believe are contributing to the stagnation of new HIV infections in France despite the availability of prevention tools like PrEP and widespread testing?
**Interview with Professor Yazdan Yazdanpanah on HIV Trends in France**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Professor Yazdanpanah. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent HIV statistics in France.
**Professor Yazdanpanah:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to talk about these pressing issues.
**Interviewer:** The data from Public Health France indicates that nearly 5,500 new HIV diagnoses were made in 2023, which is concerning. Can you explain how this number was derived and what it signifies for public health efforts in France?
**Professor Yazdanpanah:** Absolutely. The figure of 5,500 is a correction of an initially reported 3,877 cases. It accounts for under-reporting, which is a significant issue we face in HIV diagnostics. Essentially, it reveals that the incidence of new infections is not just static but may be higher than what we’ve been officially recognizing. This stagnation in new diagnoses means our preventive measures aren’t reaching all segments of the population effectively.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned in your comments at the press conference that the number of new HIV infections has not decreased for several years. Why do you think that is, considering the available prevention tools?
**Professor Yazdanpanah:** It’s indeed perplexing. We have tools like Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), widespread testing, and greater awareness about HIV transmission. However, social determinants, such as stigma, access to healthcare, and education, play a substantial role in these statistics. Many individuals at risk may not feel empowered to seek testing or treatment due to fear of discrimination or lack of access.
**Interviewer:** That brings us to the new recommendations presented recently during the congress in Biarritz. Could you highlight some of the key points addressed?
**Professor Yazdanpanah:** Certainly! We discussed a comprehensive approach that includes enhancing access to care, addressing social factors that contribute to infection rates, and promoting education around the virus. The recommendations emphasize targeted outreach to high-risk groups and ensuring that we create supportive environments where people feel safe to seek help.
**Interviewer:** In your opinion, how can public health initiatives better address the ongoing challenges related to these statistics?
**Professor Yazdanpanah:** We need a multi-faceted approach. First, we should increase community-level outreach programs to educate the at-risk populations about prevention measures. Second, healthcare services need to be more accessible and non-discriminatory. we must continue to work on reducing stigma through awareness campaigns that promote understanding and acceptance of HIV.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Professor Yazdanpanah, for your insights on this critical issue. It’s clear that while we have the tools to combat HIV, there’s still much work to be done to ensure they reach those in need.
**Professor Yazdanpanah:** Thank you for shining a light on this important discussion. Together, we can make strides towards reducing new infections in France.
