Headlines - 19th International AIDS Conference: Toward Ending Transmission of the Virus

The 19th International AIDS Conference has been taking place in Washington since July 22. The overall theme is "Turning the Tide Together."

Significant scientific advances in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection in recent years have raised enormous hopes for victory over HIV, tempered by the financial constraints imposed by the current economic climate.

Indeed, available data show that the drugs currently used to treat HIV/AIDS can significantly reduce transmission of the virus. The results of a 2011 multi-country study conducted as part of prevention trials, subsequently confirmed by the results of a study conducted in South Africa, showed that antiretrovirals (ARVs) reduced HIV transmission by 96% among couples in which only one partner is HIV-positive.

Due to the overall reduction in funding allocated to the fight against HIV/AIDS, the various stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS (policymakers, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, etc.) are exploring ways to optimize the allocation of available resources.