HIV Outcomes at the 25th International AIDS Society Conference in Munich (24 July 2024)

Speakers explored strategies for advancing policy and clinical practice across Europe to improve the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people living with HIV, reflecting on HIV Outcomes Call to Action which urges EU policy makers to recommit to ending the HIV epidemic in light of the approaching deadline of meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 by 2030.

 The discussion was in line with the 2022 HIV Outcomes Policy Asks, covering the following key elements: 

1. Comorbidity prevention, screening, treatment and management 
2. Ageing with HIV 
3. Measurement of person-reported outcomes (PROs) & monitoring HRQoL 
4. Combatting stigma and discrimination 

Participants included:

• Mario Cascio, Founding member of iCOPe HIV initiative and HIV Outcomes Co-Chair
• Caroline Sabin, Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology at University College London and HIV Outcomes Co-Chair
• David Mundell MP, Member of Parliament for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, UK 
• Nicoletta Policek, UK Community Advisory Board Chairperson, Executive Director at European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), and HIV Outcomes UK Co-Chair
• Prof. Jane Anderson, Consulting Physician at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• James Cole, Senior Policy, Research & Influencing Manager at National AIDS Trust (NAT)
• Magdalena Ankiersztejn-Bartczak, European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) Member

 Moderated by Caroline Sabin, Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology at University College London and HIV Outcomes Co-Chair 

Key takeaways:

• HIV Priority in EU Policy: The event highlighted that HIV was emphasised as a crucial priority on the EU policy agenda, ensuring it competes effectively with other health issues.
• Addressing Stigma and Discrimination: It was stressed that European governments needed to tackle stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV to enhance mental health and service accessibility.
• Integrated Healthcare Services: The importance of comprehensive services was underlined, aiming to address the comorbidities of people living with HIV and integrating their needs into broader healthcare planning.
• Community Involvement: The event underscored the necessity of meaningful involvement from HIV communities for effective management and achieving concrete outcomes.
• Funding and Structural Changes: Adequate funding and the establishment of a new framework for partnership between governments and HIV communities were identified as essential for improving service delivery.
• Diverse Community Needs: The discussion emphasised the need for targeted interventions to address the varied needs of people living with HIV, particularly focusing on closing data gaps, especially concerning women.