The NewsDesk @ HIV Ireland
28th May 2021
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Global Progress Report on HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs, 2021
This WHO report provides an opportunity to take stock of the progress achieved in addressing HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs to date, the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the lessons learned for the coming decade. Drawing on data from multiple sources, the report analyses progress and highlights the continuing gaps.The COVID-19 pandemic has impeded the delivery of core services and disrupted essential health services, including those needed to support the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs. The goal for the coming decade is to get back on track by increasing the equitable delivery of services for HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs.
Some of the key global messages from the report include:
- HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs are major public health threats worldwide, accounting for more than 2.3 million deaths per year.
- The epidemics and responses are at different stages. Tremendous progress has been made, but many gaps remain, and most global 2020 targets have been missed.
- Stigma and inequalities facing the populations most vulnerable to HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs have to be addressed to reach the Sustainable Development Goals.
- New WHO data show that HIV testing and prevention, as well as Hepatitis B and C services, are among the most frequently disrupted services caused by COVID-19.
- Accelerated action is needed to reach the Sustainable Development Goals in the next decade.
An online survey is providing stakeholders with the opportunity to input into the development of new Global Health Sector Strategies for HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs 2022-2030. The survey will close on 30th June 2021.
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Listen Back
Poz Vibe Podcast: Drag Queen Veda and activist Robbie Lawlor are the hosts of this new Poz Vibe Podcast series for people living with HIV, friends, families and allies. Sponsored by Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride, the series will include special guests every week. The first three episodes are available now on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
HIV Unmuted: a podcast series from the International AIDS Society, marking 40 years since the first reports of AIDS. Episode 1: with Dr Anthony Fauci on the early days of AIDS and the quest for a vaccine.
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News Review Summary: May 2021
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31st May is World No Tobacco Day
This annual WHO initiative informs the public of the negative impact of using tobacco, and encourages people across the world to quit and claim their right to health and healthy living.
This year's theme is 'Commit to Quit'.
People living with HIV are more likely to be smokers, and studies have shown that, for HIV-positive people, smoking is 10 times more life-threatening than HIV itself. Get more information about Smoking and HIV, the health benefits of quitting, and where to get support to quit.
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Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025
The recently published Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025 includes actions to develop an updated National Sexual Health Strategy for Ireland, roll-out of the Fast-Track Cities initiative, the continued roll-out of the National HIV PrEP programme, and a focus on sexual health education and training.
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Watch back
HIV Ireland's Executive Director, Stephen O'Hare, joined a panel of speakers at the Sex Work and HIV in Europe webinar, on 30th April 2021 to explore best practices and challenges faced by sex worker-led organisations in HIV prevention.
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Recent Journal and Research Articles
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HPSC Weekly HIV & STI Reports
As of 17/05/2021, as a result of the current disruption to the HSE IT systems, there is a pause on the production of HPSC daily and weekly reports, due to limited users' access to CIDR across the HSE. This pause will be effective until further notice.
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HIV Ireland services during current restrictions
Our offices remain closed to the public, with the exception of our rapid HIV testing service, and our teams continue to provide services and support remotely and online.
Community Support Services for people living with HIV: Contact the team at 01 873 3799 or email communitysupport@hivireland.ie
Education and Training Services: In-person programmes remain suspended. We are providing a series of Education Webinars.
MPOWER programme: providing free and confidential HIV and sexual health services for gay and bisexual men. Contact the team by phone, Whatsapp or email.
Our rapid HIV testing service for gay and bisexual men continues every Wednesday and Saturday.
Access to our HIV Self-Test service for gay and bisexual men is available every Tuesday at 1pm.
COVID-19 and HIV: View our platform of information about COVID-19 and HIV.
Cyber-Criminal attack on HSE: View our information about the cyber attack for people living with HIV.
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Upcoming Conferences & Events
Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival, 1st to 28th June 2021
UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS, 8th to 10th June 2021
Men's Health Week, 14th to 20th June 2021
The evolution of HIV treatment on it's 40th anniversary, 23rd June 2021
25th Annual Health Promotion Conference (NUIG), 24th June 2021
STI & HIV 2021 World Congress - Sexual Diversity and the City, 14th to 17th July 2021
11th Annual IAS Conference on HIV Science, 18th to 21st July 2021
HIV Nursing Conference 2021, 16th to 17th October 2021
Sex, Drugs and Scotland’s Health, 19th to 21st October 2021
18th European AIDS Conference (EACS2021), 27th to 30th October 2021
Fast-Track Cities 2021, 20th to 22nd October 2021
Adherence 2021, 7th to 9th November 2021
ESCAIDE 2021, 16th to 19th November 2021
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