Global Alliance Progress on HIV Prevention in Children and AdolescentsGlobal Alliance Progress on HIV Prevention in Children and Adolescents The Global Alliance, established in 2022 by WHO, UNICEF, and UNAIDS, has made significant strides in preventing HIV among children and adolescents in participating African countries. Progress Highlights: * Over four million HIV infections prevented in children since 2000, primarily through programs addressing vertical transmission. * Many Global Alliance countries have achieved high coverage of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women, with Uganda nearing 100%. Challenges and Opportunities: Despite progress, the report “Transforming Vision Into Reality” indicates that targets for children and adolescents are not being met at a global or Global Alliance level. Progress in preventing new infections and AIDS-related deaths has slowed. * Approximately 120,000 children under 14 were infected with HIV in 2023, with nearly 80% occurring in Global Alliance countries. * Children face a wider treatment gap than adults, with a significant mortality risk if left untreated. Call to Action: * Strengthen collaboration and reach within the Global Alliance. * Scale up innovative testing methods to ensure timely and effective treatment for children and adolescents. * Address gender inequality and human rights violations that increase women’s vulnerability to HIV. * Reinforce global cooperation to eliminate AIDS by 2030. The report concludes that the progress made in HIV prevention among children and adolescents is commendable but is not sufficient to reach the global targets. The Global Alliance and its partners call for continued efforts and support to ensure that all children are born HIV-free and receive the necessary treatment and support.
The Global Alliance was launched in 2022 by the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and includes 12 African countries.
The new report – Transforming Vision Into Reality – also highlights the significant progress made in preventing four million infections among children aged 0 to 14 years since 2000, thanks to programmes that target vertical transmission of HIV – that is, from mother to child.
Advancing nations
Many countries in the Global Alliance have achieved significant coverage of lifelong antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women, with Uganda approaching 100 percent.
“I applaud the progress many countries are making in rolling out HIV services to keep young women healthy and protect babies and children from HIV,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director.
“With the medicines and science available today, we can ensure that all babies are born and remain HIV-free, and that all children living with HIV receive and remain on treatment,” she added.
Ms Byanyima said modern medicine and science help ensure babies are born and remain HIV-free through effective treatment. But this treatment, she said, needs to be scaled up to ensure all children are reached.
“We cannot rest on our laurels,” she said. “The world can and must fulfill its commitment to end childhood AIDS by 2030.”
Not on schedule
Despite remarkable progress, the report states that neither the world nor Global Alliance countries are on track to meet HIV-related targets for children and adolescents. Moreover, progress in preventing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in children has slowed in recent years.
“While we have made progress in improving pregnant women’s access to testing and treatment to prevent vertical transmission of HIV, we are still a long way from closing the treatment gap for children,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“We must further strengthen the collaboration and reach of the Global Alliance and we must do this work with focus, purpose and in solidarity with all affected mothers, children and adolescents.”
Age and gender differences
The report noted that approximately 120,000 children aged 0-14 years were infected with HIV in 2023, and that 77,000 of those cases occurred in Global Alliance countries. These countries also accounted for 49,000 of the 76,000 global AIDS-related deaths among children aged 0-14 years.
The report also notes a widening gap in the treatment of adults and children.
“Without timely and effective testing and treatment, HIV remains a persistent threat to the health and well-being of children and adolescents, and they are at risk of death,” said Anurita Bains, UNICEF Deputy Director for HIV/AIDS.
“To close the treatment gap, we must support governments to scale up innovative testing methods and ensure that children and adolescents living with HIV get the treatment and support they need.”
Gender inequality and human rights violations are cited as factors that increase women’s vulnerability to HIV and limit their ability to access necessary treatment.
All UN agencies involved in the Global Alliance encourage stronger global cooperation to eliminate AIDS by 2030.
