CATSINaM’s Post

🌍 Ukraine Conflict Strains HIV Prevention Efforts 🏥 The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is severely disrupting vital HIV prevention services, raising alarms among health professionals about potential outbreaks. 🔍 Recent studies reveal that the chaos of war mirrors the upheaval seen in natural disasters, destabilizing healthcare facilities and limiting access to essential medications. The displacement of individuals further complicates efforts to control the epidemic, increasing vulnerability among at-risk populations. 💡 Experts emphasize the urgent need for coordinated and rapid response measures to mitigate these challenges. Key strategies include: - Enhancing support networks between local and international organizations. - Investing in mobile health units and telemedicine. - Empowering local health workers with training and resources. By adopting innovative approaches, we can ensure that HIV prevention services remain accessible amidst turmoil—vital for preventing a surge in cases. Let's strengthen international support and foster partnerships to address these pressing challenges effectively! 👉 Click on the link for more insights! 🌐 #GlobalHealth #HIVPrevention #HealthCare #PublicHealth #Publications #UkraineConflict #MarketAccess #MarketAccessToday

"Budget lights a path to virtual elimination of HIV transmission" The Albanese Government has made a strong stride towards the virtual elimination of HIV transmission with tonight’s $43.9 million Budget commitment. The commitment expands access to PrEP, rolls out HIV self-testing, deepens connections with culturally diverse communities, continues online health promotion to communities and provides additional resources for the HIV community and clinical workforces, according to Health Equity Matters, Australia’s HIV and LGBTIQA+ health federation. Read Health Equity Matters, Australia’s HIV and LGBTIQA+ health federation's review of the recent Federal budget. https://lnkd.in/gKs5A8qb

I sincerely hope that this year, some of these vital funds filter down to the organisations supporting people living with HIV. Organisations like Bobby Goldsmith Foundation and Positive Life NSW. Supporting people living with HIV and improving their quality of life, access to healthcare, and overall well-being is an essential part of the strategy to reduce transmission. When individuals have access to comprehensive care and support, they can maintain their health, adhere to treatment, and live full, productive lives. This not only benefits those directly affected but also contributes to the broader public health goal of eliminating HIV transmission. It's important to recognise that people living with HIV are already doing our part. 98% of the community who are on medication have achieved viral suppression, meaning that HIV cannot be transmitted. This is a significant achievement and a testament to the commitment of those living with HIV to manage their health responsibly. However, achieving viral suppression and maintaining quality of life requires sustained support. It's time for the government to come to the party and ensure a better quality of life for those living with HIV by providing funding for the organisations that support us. By directing funds to these essential services, we can continue to make strides toward eliminating HIV transmission while ensuring that those living with HIV receive the support they need to thrive.

Introduction by Croakey: The 25th International AIDS Conference is taking place this week in Munich, Germany, with the theme ‘putting people first’. Conference organisers explain that this means thinking of solutions from the point of view of those most affected. “For example, rather than thinking of hard-to-reach populations, we should think of hard-to-reach health services. HIV responses must be built for the individual, especially the most vulnerable,” they say. Meanwhile, researchers from the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney have outlined reforms that would enable more equitable access to an important element of HIV prevention, Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. Their recommendations, which include measures to ensure cheaper, easier access to PrEP, are timely as the national Scope of Practice Review develops recommendations aimed at ensuring more equitable access to primary care.

Governments in sub-saharan Africa must increase domestic funding for health and specifically for HIV prevention. As we put plans for Universal Health Coverage, strengthen Primary Health Care and Community Health Strategy, HIV prevention must be part of the essential package. Civil Society Organisations play a critical role in advocating and working with governments, private sector and other key stakeholders to cost health services and allocate domestic funding for the same. Given the high rates of HIV infections in Kenya, our government must allocate more domestic funding to ensure everyone has access to HIV prevention methods.

A troubling trend has emerged among GenZ, known as "Kugongewa" - a culture that glorifies multiple sexual partnerships and casual relationships. This behavioral shift has raised serious concerns among health professionals and social commentators alike. The rise in romantic relationships between Generation X, often referred to as ‘grey heads,’ and young women in Generation Z (Gen Zs) has sparked intense social debate, challenging traditions and raising concerns about emerging health risks. With Data and research from Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), LVCT HEALTH and NASCOP D. Kenya has made remarkable strides in HIV prevention, achieving an 83% reduction in new infections from 2013 to 2022. However, emerging social dynamics and health patterns require our attention and innovative solutions. According to NASCOP: • New HIV cases dropped from 101,560 (2013) to 22,154 (2022) • Women account for 67% of new infections • Changing social dynamics among younger generations present new challenges Kenya is expanding its HIV prevention toolkit beyond traditional methods. As shared by Millicent Kiruki Senior Research Officer LVCT HEALTH, several groundbreaking prevention options are now accessible to Kenyans. "The FDA's approval of Cabenuva in January 2021 marks a significant milestone - the first long-acting injectable HIV treatment combining Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine," reports Frank Angira, Research Officer at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) https://lnkd.in/dp87RpMQ The HIV pandemic in Kenya, which reached alarming levels in the 1990s, has evolved significantly over the past few decades. Once regarded as a crisis, Kenya has made significant strides in combating the disease, reducing new infections by 53 per cent since 2010 and cutting AIDS-related deaths by.... https://lnkd.in/dw6_b_8Y #PublicHealth #Healthcare #Innovation #KenyaHealth #HIVPrevention #HealthcareInnovation #Research

The PURPOSE 2 trial builds upon the groundbreaking findings of PURPOSE 1, both published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and funded by Gilead Sciences. While PURPOSE 1 focused on cisgender women, PURPOSE 2 extends the evaluation of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention treatment, to include cisgender men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and gender non-binary people. These trials collectively assess the potential of lenacapavir as an innovative tool to address HIV prevention across diverse at-risk populations. Key Points: ▪️Strong Efficacy Results: Preliminary data from PURPOSE 2 show that lenacapavir effectively reduces HIV incidence, demonstrating its potential as a highly effective HIV prevention method. ▪️Improved Adherence with Twice-Yearly Dosing: The twice-yearly dosing regimen of lenacapavir helps address the adherence challenges associated with daily oral PrEP, potentially improving long-term persistence and patient outcomes. ▪️Global Impact and Community Engagement: PURPOSE 2 takes place across several countries, with a strong emphasis on community engagement, ensuring that the trial results reflect the needs and concerns of diverse global populations affected by HIV. With its promising results, PURPOSE 2, like PURPOSE 1, underscores the potential of lenacapavir as a transformative HIV prevention tool. Supported by Gilead’s funding and collaboration with affected communities, these trials pave the way for expanding access to effective, long-acting HIV prevention options for high-risk populations worldwide. #HIVPrevention #HIVResearch #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth PURPOSE 1: https://lnkd.in/e8s-pu9A PURPOSE 2: https://lnkd.in/esb3Xe22

🚨 Despite a growing public health crisis, Congress is considering cutting funding for vital STI & HIV prevention initiatives. Public health workers are on the front lines, doing their best with limited resources, but, as Emily McCloskey Schreiber from NASTAD points out, with stagnant funding, every cut hurts more. 😤💢 NASTAD and allies are calling for increased funding—now is the time to support those on the front lines of the STI & HIV epidemic and advocate for more robust investment in prevention and care! Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gk3eFaG3 #PublicHealth #FundHIV #HealthEquity

PMTCT- one of the ways to prevent new HIV infections. Can we have an HIV-free Generation? 🌹Yes, we can! We can actually have an HIV-free generation only and only if we prevent new HIV infections. I recall the first HIV positive baby I had to manage in year 2008. The mother did not deliver in a health facility. She neither went through antenatal care clinic (ANC) nor had any test done in the pregnancy. She actually delivered at home. Unknown that she was already infected with HIV. I came in contact with the 8-month old child who has failed to thrive (not growing well). Imagine an 8-month old weighing the weight of a 2 or 3 months old! 😮 The child also had other opportunistic infections (OIs) like oral thrush, weight loss and the big one -Tuberculosis. Incidentally and sadly, that baby didn't make it. He died few weeks after commencement of TB and HIV treatment. I felt sad upon hearing the death of the baby. WHY? Because it could have been avoided with PMTCT interventions if the mother had registered in a health facility. I am an advocate of pregnant women registering and delivering in the hospital or health facilities where all necessary investigations would be done and optimal care given, this include HIV test (which we also referred to as retroviral screening- RVS) and proper management. It's surprising that despite the fact that RVS is free in government hospitals and some supported private hospitals, many pregnant women still don't get tested in pregnancy and ended up birthing an HIV-positive child. #PMTCT - Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV is one intervention that will help to achieve an HIV-free Generation. No child deserves to be born with HIV any more. As a public health physician, my work involves creating awareness on infections/disesaes that affects the public. One of it is creating awareness on ways to prevent HIV infection and management of people living with HIV and other diseases of public health importance. Please join me in this mandate so we can have an #HIVfree Generation! For every pregnant woman, RVS is a MUST; not because of the pregnant woman but because of the unborn baby. I will shed more light on how an HIV-positive pregnant woman can birth an HIV-negative baby subsequently. An HIV-FREE Generation is possible! #Elevateyourprofessionalpresencewith_Amaka_Day13 #Cohort2 Amaka Ifeduba #HIVfreegeneration #PMTCT #Publichealth

Did you know that globally, 44% of all new HIV infections in 2023 were among women and girls? (Source: UNAIDS) It's important to understand the risks and advocate for intersectional, equity-driven approaches to care and services for those living with and experiencing HIV/AIDS. Here's why... ➡️ In Canada, stats show that Black and Indigenous communities are disproportionately at higher risk of diagnosis. ➡️ Although the Black community makes up less than 5% of Canada’s total population, 25% of new HIV infections are Black people. ➡️ In Ontario, Black women comprise 44.4% of new first-time diagnoses among women in 2020 (Source: Dr. Notisha Massaquoi). ➡️ At least one Indigenous person per day in Canada contracts HIV. ➡️ Almost 50% of these new infections are Indigenous Women. ➡️ Close to 25% of these new infections are our Indigenious Youth (Source: OAHAS website). For this World AIDS Day and the start of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week, we honour those in the work, and the incredible partners and clients we've journeyed with ❤️ Give them a follow and support their work 👇🏾 CATIE Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre TAIBU Community Health Centre Dr. Notisha Massaquoi Dr. OmiSoore Dryden (PhD) Ontario AIDS Network Ontario HIV Treatment Network Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy (Oahas) Fife House Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario - ACCHO AIDS Committee of Ottawa Canadian HIV/AIDS Black, African & Caribbean Network (CHABAC) - chabac.ca Ontario Organizational Development Program (OODP) - oodp.ca Women & HIV/AIDS Initiative (whai.ca) #WorldAIDSDay #IndigenousAIDSAwarenessWeek #HIVAIDS #healthequity #thereconsulting #theremanagementconsulting #nonprofitconsulting #thirdsector #nonprofit #managementconsulting