Blog

After several wonderful and productive years with the IAS, I have decided to relocate and join my partner in Greece to begin the next chapter in our lives together. This, of course, also means that my time as Executive Director of this amazing organization is coming to an end.

Though little talked about, hepatitis C is one of the world’s most common infectious diseases. More than 70 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with chronic hepatitis C, and every year, close to 400,000 people die from it.

As we near the deadline for the 2020 End TB milestones, it’s time to take stock of our efforts as set out in the World Health Organization (WHO) roadmap towards ending TB in children and adolescents, using a client-centred lens.

When the first people living with HIV were recognized in 1982, the world’s health systems were not prepared to address a new and rapidly expanding epidemic. Almost 40 years after the appearance of AIDS, much has changed. AIDS-related deaths continue to decline as antiretroviral treatment coverage rose to 62% in 2018.

This week, you and more than 5,900 other professionals from nearly 130 countries made IAS 2019 a conference to remember. Across 1,300 abstracts, selected from more than 3,000 submissions, this 10th IAS Conference on HIV Science marked several key milestones in the global response to HIV.

The results released yesterday of a large clinical research study ‒ known as the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) ‒ sought to resolve long-standing questions on a potential link between hormonal contraceptive use and the risk of HIV acquisition. Although the results found no significant difference in HIV risk among women using one of three highly effective contraceptive methods in the trial, it is not all good news. The findings showed high rates of HIV acquisition.

The International AIDS Society (IAS) welcomes the emphasis that the World Health Organization (WHO) places on universal health coverage (UHC), tuberculosis (TB) and vaccines in the agenda for the 72nd World Health Assembly. The IAS commends the prioritisation of efforts to ensure that no one is left behind in reaching the health targets set out in the Sustainable Development Goals. Across the world, for a variety of cultural, social, political and religious reasons, accessing services is still ...