Report: HIV rates persist in high risk marginalised populations, resurgence is likely

While People are becoming more self-aware of safe sex practices such as carrying condoms and taking PrEP is becoming common, HIV rates persist in high risk, marginalised populations and a recent report by the Lancet Commission led by the International AIDS Society warns that a resurgence of the HIV epidemic is likely as the largest generation of young people age into adolescence and adulthood. From 2010-2017, new infections declined by 16% to 1.8 million per year worldwide, but remained substantially higher for younger women then young men

Around the globe, 44% of all new HIV infections occurred in people from marginalised groups. Marginalised groups include gay and bisexual men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender people, and the sex partners of people in these groups. While in sub-Saharan Africa, the risk of HIV infection peaks at age 15-24 years for adolescent girls and young women, and AIDS is the fourth leading cause of death for this group.

The report highlights that the HIV pandemic is not on track to end by 2030 and current approaches to HIV control are not enough to control.

The Lancet Commission authors state that the Historic ‘exceptionalism’ of HIV treatment and care may no longer be sustainable; and that HIV health care services will likely need to be part of wider health care supporting related diseases and conditions.

The commission also commented that the stalling of HIV funding in recent years endangers HIV control efforts.