Rising HIV Cases Across the Continent
The number of new HIV diagnoses in Europe climbed in 2023, with nearly every country in the region reporting new cases. According to European health authorities, the ongoing challenges surrounding HIV management and prevention have prompted calls for increased efforts to address this public health concern. In total, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European region has recorded more than 2.6 million HIV infections since the epidemic began in the early 1980s.
Increase in New Diagnoses
A report from the WHO’s European office and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reveals that 113,000 new HIV diagnoses occurred across 47 European countries in 2023, representing a 2.4 percent increase from the previous year. The surge in new cases is partially attributed to heightened testing initiatives, which have countered a decline in HIV detection that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, experts caution that more work is necessary to enhance prevention measures.
Disparities in Awareness and Diagnosis
The report highlights significant disparities in awareness surrounding HIV throughout Europe. Although the majority of HIV-positive individuals in the European Union and several associated countries know their status, only 60 percent of those in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are aware of their infection. Alarmingly, about 30 percent of individuals living with HIV remain unaware of their status, which complicates efforts to control the virus’s spread.
The Impact of Late Diagnosis
Delays in diagnosis pose significant risks for HIV patients. Late-stage diagnoses often lead to disease progression to AIDS, which claimed approximately 630,000 lives globally in 2023. The report indicates that immigrants and patients diagnosed late accounted for 48 percent of all new HIV diagnoses in the EU and associated nations. Despite the absence of a cure, antiretroviral therapies can successfully manage HIV as a chronic condition if initiated early enough.
Call for Focused Action
ECDC Chief Dr. Pamela Rendi-Wagner emphasized that while Europe has made notable progress in improving access to testing and reducing undiagnosed infections, further efforts are essential to reach vulnerable populations. WHO Europe’s Regional Director, Dr. Hans Henri Kluge, echoed these sentiments, urging a reduction in stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV and advocating for increased funding to bolster testing and prevention initiatives. As the battle against HIV continues, collaborative action remains crucial to curb its spread.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Vanguard News
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