Crucial Recommendations Have Potential to Change the Epidemic by Simplifying ART for People Living with HIV and Revolutionizing Prevention for People at Risk
(September 30, 2015 Oakland, CA) The
Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) commends the World Health Organization
(WHO) for issuing new
guidelines on immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART)
for all HIV-positive people and for encouraging the availability of pre-exposure
prophylaxis (PrEP) to all at substantial risk of contracting HIV. Updates to
the guidelines are now aligned with the best available scientific evidence and expressed
community needs. New recommendations include offering:
1.
ART for everyone
who is living with HIV regardless of CD4 count. The benefits to early
initiation of ART are supported by the START Trials; and
2.
PrEP to anyone at substantial risk of HIV. Clinical
trials to-date have shown that, when PrEP is taken properly and the drug
regimen is fully adhered to, it can provide nearly complete protection
from HIV infection.
This new recommendation paves the way for significant expansion
of ARV programs and greater PrEP availability. “We welcome the revised
guidelines, especially given the indisputable health benefits of ART given
early and used prophylactically,” stated MSMGF Executive Director, Dr. George
Ayala. “However, changes to the guidelines do not instantly translate to
expanded coverage or access,” cautions Dr. Ayala. “There is much work to do to
ensure unfettered access to HIV prevention and treatment programs among men who
have sex with men (MSM) and other marginalized populations. We must invest
expanding programs that can sensitively serve our community’s needs.”
Rates
of HIV infection are disproportionately high among MSM in all regions of the
world. MSM are 19 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general
population. It is estimated that the use of PrEP globally could reduce HIV
incidence amongst MSM by 20-25% or more, averting up to 1 million new
infections over 10 years. Criminalization, violence, discrimination, and stigma
remain huge obstacles for ensuring that MSM receive the services they need and
want. We need to pay keen attention to these barriers as we implement treatment
expansion globally.
“We
must now work to ensure that national HIV programs keep pace with the new
guidelines, are accessible, and delivered with sensitivity to the needs of MSM”,
urges Dr. Ayala. “We look forward to working with partners to tear down
the walls that keep MSM away from the services they want and need.”
MEDIA CONTACT
Jack Mackenroth
jmackenroth@msmgf.org
About
Us: MSMGF has worked since 2006 to encourage targeted, tailored, better
resourced, and rights- based sexual health services for gay men and other men
who have sex with men (MSM) worldwide through its advocacy and technical
support work. As a global network, MSMGF has successfully influenced HIV
responses at the local level through shifts in global-level policies and has
effectively utilized public health as an entry point for advancing the human
rights of LGBT people. MSMGF currently supports programs in 15 countries.