PAHO HIV News. Number 20, November 2010

Significant progress has been made in several low- and middle-income countries in increasing access to HIV services, according to a new report released in September. The report Towards Universal Access, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), is the fourth annual report for tracking progress made in achieving the 2010 target of providing universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care. Antiretroviral therapy coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean continues to be the highest of all middle and low income countries by region. However, the increase in the number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2009 was relatively modest, of about 6%. This is explained by the fact that most large countries in the Region have already achieved relatively high levels of coverage.
More information: press release and full report.

Countries of the Americas pledge to Eliminate Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis by 2015

Representatives of PAHO member countries pledged support for a regional effort to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis by the year 2015. During the 50th PAHO Directing Council meeting, which took place in Washington, D.C., in September, ministers of health from throughout the Americas agreed that the elimination of these diseases is technically feasible. The majority of countries in the Region have the resources necessary to improve the quality of care for pregnant women, including treatment for HIV and syphilis using an integrated approach. The approved plan aims to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV to less than 2 percent and the incidence of congenital syphilis to fewer than 0.5 cases per 1,000 live births. At these levels, the diseases would be eliminated as public health problems. The Region of the Americas is the first region to attempt to eliminate the mother-to-child transmission of these diseases through simultaneous, integrated efforts.
More information: press release, plan approved by the ministers of the Americas.

PAHO’s Gender Annual Contest new theme is HIV

For the first time HIV is the theme of the annual gender contest organized by PAHO’s Gender, Diversity, and Human Rights Office.  The well-know annual gender contest seeks to highlight best practices in incorporating a perspective of gender equality in health. For this year’s contest, PAHO is partnering with UNAIDS. The deadline for applications is November 30th . Winners will have the opportunity to present their practices during the International Women’s Day celebration in March 2011 in Washington, D.C, and will receive a US$5,000 award to disseminate their best practice.
More information: Contest of best practices that incorporate a gender equality perspective in health

A direct link to AIDS 2010 Conference abstracts relevant to LAC

LAC-related abstracts presented at the AIDS 2010 Conference are now easier to find. PAHO has identified 800 abstracts that are directly relevant to the region, including some of the most relevant research and innovative interventions in the response to HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean. Presented in alphabetical order, and in English (official language of the Conference), these 800 abstracts cover all LAC countries and encompass the six program tracks of the conference (Basic Science; Clinical Sciences; Epidemiology and Prevention Sciences; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Economics, Operations, Research, Care and Health Systems; Policy, Law, Human Rights and Political Science).
More information: LAC-related abstracts published during the AIDS 2010 Conference and machine-translation of the abstract topics to Spanish

Dr. Roses: Mexico City Declaration key for efforts to uphold human rights

The Mexico City Ministerial Declaration “Educating to Prevent,” issued in the AIDS 2008 Conference, is still a key reference to the efforts of Ministers of Health and Education to ensure the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Dr. Mirta Roses, PAHO Director, conveyed this message during a speech at the at the AIDS 2010 Conference. Delivered during the satellite session “Human Rights-based approach to HIV Prevention: Mission Impossible?,” the speech also stated that  “prevention, treatment and care without discrimination are intrinsic elements of the right to health enshrined in the constitution of the World Health Organization and also in several international and regional human rights”. Dr. Roses mentioned some of PAHO’s efforts to combat discrimination, which include educational activities in collaboration with member states and human rights activists.
More information: Dr. Roses speech at the AIDS 2010 Conference

New publication: Blueprint for the MSM care

A new guideline produced by PAHO intends to strengthen the ability of health care providers to address the distinct health needs of gay men and other MSM within the context of health promotion and health care delivery. More than 50 experts from North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean participated in a Regional Consultation on Health Promotion and the Provision of Care to Men Who Have Sex with Men in Latin America and the Caribbean and contributed knowledge and expertise producing a set of tools – including this guide. This publication is intended to guide planning and implementation of MSM-oriented health promotion and health care activities in the Region.
More information: Blueprint for the Provision of Comprehensive Care to Gay Men and Other MSM in Latin America and the Caribbean

New Publication: Evaluating the health system response

This new PAHO publication serves as an guidance tool to move forward with the process of evaluating and strengthening the health systems’ response to the HIV epidemic. It offers guidance, rather than a prescriptive response to the challenges of the HIV epidemic, allowing countries to choose and customize their approach, according to their specific needs and cultural reality.
More information: Evaluation for Strengthening of the Health System Response to HIV: Guidelines for the Region of the Americas (Spanish)

New publication: Gender analysis of HIV campaigns

A new study published by PAHO makes a gender analysis of HIV campaigns. Based on the 200 TV commercials showcased in VIHdeo America, an anthology of HIV TV spots of the Americas, the study examines how HIV campaigns portray social relationships between men, women, and people with different sexual orientations and gender identities. Not surprisingly, a large number of HIV campaigns reproduce and reinforce gender stereotypes, which may lead to increased vulnerability to HIV. Most campaigns suggest that women should bear the responsibility for safer sex and for controlling men’s sexual drive.  Not all of the campaigns reinforce stereotypes; a frame-by-frame analysis of 10 selected TV spots contains positive examples, including some positive representations of people of different sexual orientation. The study makes recommendations to make HIV campaigns gender sensitive and gender transformative.
More information:   A Gender Analysis of HIV Television Spots (Spanish)

New Publication: Linking Sexual Health and HIV Programs

This new PAHO publication seeks to make a contribution to the efforts already under way in several locations to optimize health care, including sexual and reproductive health promotion and care, with a gender perspective that explicitly addresses HIV and other STIs, as well as problems requiring immediate attention. The publication stresses the importance of collaboration among programs, services, providers, and community members to better tackle the challenges posed by these issues and also proposes actions that can lead to a better quality of life for the individual, the family, and the community.
More information: Linking Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender Programs and Services with Prevention of HIV/STI

New Publication: Regional M&E of the Elimination Initiative

PAHO and UNICEF are providing countries with the strategies and tools to engage in the Regional Initiative for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis. This recently-published regional monitoring strategy is a companion document to the recommendations provided for the programmatic integration and scale up of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis and the clinical guidance in support to this programmatic approach. The document provides the rationale for establishing a common monitoring strategy and why this framework is needed to track progress of the elimination initiative at regional level.  It was developed for national HIV and STI managers, maternal and child health program managers, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) specialists.
More information: Regional Initiative for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis in Latin America and the Caribbean: Regional Monitoring Strategy

UN makes special launch of Translatina in Panama

Several presentations of Translatina took place in the last months. In Panama, in September, a special screening took place at the United Nations Information Centre, with the attendance of UN System officers, representatives from the Panamanian government, and members of the civil society. The projection of the documentary, which offers a realistic look at the challenges faced by transgender people in accessing education, work, justice, health care, and other services, served as a backdrop for a roundtable discussion with everyone present. The group discussion was moderated by Maria Tallarico, Leader of UNDP’s  Regional Program on HIV and included the participation of Luis Felipe Degregori, director of the documentary; Marcela Romero, regional coordinator of REDLACTRANS; Itza Barahona de Mosca, deputy director of the Ministry of Health's Population Health Program; Diego Postigo, PAHO’s  HIV Advisor and Ricardo García, UNAIDS Country Coordinator.
More information: video of the launch in Panamá, YouTube, Facebook, fact sheet

Invitation to participate in the World AIDS Day activities in Washington DC

Examining health systems challenges to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis (stand-up conversation)—Recently, PAHO member countries approved a regional strategy and plan to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis by the year 2015. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive and integrated response from the health system is needed. This presents considerable challenges, and you are invited to examine these challenges with us.

Linking HIV and Human Rights (reception) – “Protecting Human Rights and Promoting Public Health” will be the theme of the World AIDS Day ceremony for 2010.  In Washington this will be marked with a reception; but, this will not be the usual DC reception. After a few short remarks by special guests, participants will engage in the “Light for Rights” event. This global awareness-raising event will use light (spotlights, building or monument lights, candles, etc.) to symbolize the need for the spotlight to be on those still living in the darkness due to human rights violations.

Space is limited.  Please RSVP to Amanda MacDonald, Macdonalda@unaids.org

An honest conversation about HIV stigma (conference)—Stigma prevents citizens from getting tested for HIV, seeking medical care, disclosing their diagnosis to loved ones, and adhering to treatment. Stigma has become a major reason why the HIV epidemic continues to be a significant health challenge. Join scholars, community and government leaders and stakeholders in a conference about stigma and HIV.

List of HIV Frequently-Used Acronyms

Had trouble to understand any of the acronyms in this newsletter?  This PAHO list contains English and Spanish versions of 121 of the most frequently used acronyms related to HIV. 
More information:  HIV acronyms most frequently used in LAC

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