Renate Baehr, DSW Executive Director
World AIDS Vaccine Day, which we celebrate this Sunday (May 18th), is an opportunity to recognise the progress that has been made and to reflect on the negative impact that HIV & AIDS has had on the lives of millions of people worldwide. It is also an opportunity to push for greater support for innovative and effective new interventions, such as vaccines, that have the potential to accelerate the eradication of HIV & AIDS for good.
It is clear that investment in combatting and treating HIV & AIDS has had a massive impact in recent years. New HIV infections have been reduced to 2.3 million in 2012, falling 33 per cent since 2001 due to scaled up prevention measures including condom use and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). AIDS-related deaths have also fallen significantly since their peak in 2005, from 2.3 million to 1.6 million.
Access to anti-retroviral therapy has expanded exponentially, thanks mainly to the Global Fund, and concerted effort of donors, governments, civil society advocacy and the work of local communities.
However, much as this progress is a cause for celebration, there is no reason for relenting in the fight against HIV & AIDS. In 2012, for example, 260,000 children became newly infected with HIV, and there are still 35.3 million people living with HIV today. The spread of HIV continues remain a serious problem for young people in low- and middle income countries – right now, more than two million young people (aged between 10 and 19) are infected with HIV.
Girls and young women are particularly at risk. In sub-Saharan Africa, according to the WHO, women account for roughly 60% of all HIV infections; there are, approximately, 15.5 million women aged 15 and older living with HIV today. What is more, girls and women are more likely to become infected with HIV though sexual transmission, through a combination of biological, cultural social and economic reasons.
For example, young girls and women cannot always negotiate condom use with their partners. As a result, HIV is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women.It is precisely these women who stand to gain the most from accelerated global health R&D investment, and from the development of a HIV vaccine.
The development of an effective HIV vaccine has proven to be challenging, as recent clinical trials have shown only partial success. Further progress and eventual success will require long-term and political and financial support for global health R&D from all actors – governments, international organisations, private donors, civil society and the private sector.
Programmes such as the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) are one element in harnessing the potential of innovative R&D for the fight against HIV & AIDS. Securing a place for global health R&D in the future post-2015 framework would go a step further in recognising the important contribution of innovation and R&D – allied to a multi-faceted approach encompassing comprehensive sexual education and universal access to SRHR. With sufficient international political will, we can finally overcome HIV & AIDS.
We at DSW are optimistic and we look forward to celebrating the discovery of a ground-breaking on WAVD in the not too distant future!
