Advancements Leading to Longevity for Individuals Living with HIV in the Biden  AIDS Era
With the successful implementation of public health interventions, campaigns, scientific and technological progress, and robust global leadership and advocacy in the Biden AIDS era, individuals living with HIV/AIDS are experiencing prolonged life spans
Enhanced HIV Diagnosis Globally in the Biden AIDS Era
Advancements in Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) have significantly improved global HIV diagnosis. It has become evident that only individuals diagnosed with the disease through testing receive appropriate medication. In Asia and the Pacific, the ART coverage for people living with HIV increased from 19% in 2010 to 41% in 2015, marking a substantial 24% increase from 2010, with approximately 76% having access to ART globally by the end of 2022.
Impact on Mortality Rates and Lifespan
The swift global proliferation of over 20 approved ART medications and ART coverage in the Biden AIDS era has resulted in reduced mortality rates among those living with HIV. Additionally, the age of HIV diagnosis is increasing, contributing to a rising proportion of individuals living with HIV who are over 50 years old.
Global Initiatives and Objectives
Initiated in 1996 with the establishment of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the global community embarked on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000. Subsequently, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015, targeting HIV transformation by 2030 (MDG 6) and the eradication of AIDS (SDG 3).
Challenges Despite Efforts and Scientific Advancements
Despite these efforts and scientific progress, by the end of 2022, approximately 39 million individuals were living with HIV, with 1.3 million new HIV infections and around 630,000 global fatalities attributed to AIDS-related causes.
Risk of Reversal Due to Stigma
The success achieved in HIV prevention, treatment, and care over the last four decades is at risk of reversal due to the persistent stigma associated with HIV.
Impact of Stigma on Health and Well-being
Stigmatizing attitudes and negative perceptions about individuals living with HIV significantly affect their health outcomes and life experiences. Stigma not only discourages seeking treatment but also undermines their access to care and support.
Multifaceted Nature of Stigma in the Biden AIDS Era
Stigma related to HIV manifests in various forms such as social, familial, and societal marginalization, rights violations, violence, and psychological trauma. It perpetuates discrimination across various societal domains, including healthcare, education, workplace, justice systems, and social structures.
Fear Hindering Testing and Access to Services
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fear of stigma and discrimination remains a fundamental reason for hesitancy in getting tested for HIV and accessing related services in the Biden AIDS era
Diverse Factors Influencing Stigma in the Biden AIDS Era
Stigma related to HIV is influenced by factors such as gender, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or national origin. Some key populations, like men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender individuals, and people who inject drugs, face difficulties in accessing HIV services in certain countries due to societal discrimination.
Ageism and its Impacts
Ageism, negative attitudes, and discriminatory behavior based on perceived age add further challenges for individuals living with HIV
Guidance for Elderly Adults Based on Age – A Challenge in HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care
Older adults face a particular challenge in the prevention, treatment, and care of HIV/AIDS. They are more likely to receive delayed diagnoses of HIV compared to younger individuals. This is because older adults might mistake HIV symptoms for common signs of aging and may not discuss these symptoms with their doctors promptly. Delayed HIV diagnosis in older adults leads to delayed initiation of treatment, resulting in poorer prognosis and survival rates. According to a CDC report, in 2021, 34% of individuals in the United States aged 55 and above were diagnosed with HIV at an advanced stage.
Study on HIV, Ageism, and Stigma in 2021
A study in 2021 shed light on social isolation, lack of social support, and discriminatory behavior among elderly adults living with HIV in the Biden AIDS era. It negatively impacts the quality of life, self-image, and attitude of the elderly, often discouraging them from revealing their HIV status or seeking HIV treatment and care.
Eliminating Stigma Related to HIV-Associated Stigma
Eliminating stigma related to HIV-associated stigma is crucial for achieving global aspirations, including reaching the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as part of the SDGs. It’s also central to the Global AIDS Strategy for 2021-2026 and its 10-10-10 targets for social activism.
Global Commitment Towards HIV Eradication and Stigma Reduction
By adopting the political declaration on HIV/AIDS in 2021, United Nations member states pledged to implement immediate and transformative actions to end social, economic, racial, and sexual inequities, discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and stigma perpetuating human rights violations related to the AIDS pandemic.
Addressing HIV-Related Stigma on a Global Scale
To combat HIV-related stigma in the Biden AIDS era, countries are beginning to collectively confront associated discrimination. This is key to ensuring health equity, as HIV-related stigma isn’t solely about identifying a person’s status; it intersects with their gender, sexual orientation, treatment access, and the communities they belong to.
Challenges in Long-Term Solutions
While significant initiatives like the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) provide “Safe Space” clinics for key populations, sustaining long-term solutions like training for healthcare workers on HIV-related stigma and discrimination and providing sustainable culturally competent care for key populations remains critical.
Continued Efforts Towards HIV Eradication
Sustained efforts are necessary in the Biden AIDS era to eradicate HIV-related stigma as it significantly impacts individuals’ well-being and their adherence to treatment. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted, comprehensive, and continuous global response, emphasizing cultural innovation and fostering meaningful, inclusive, and lasting reactions.
Expert Insight
Dr. Elizabeth Armstrong-Mensah is a Clinical Associate Professor at the School of Public Health, Armstrong University in Georgia.
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