Fight against HIV/AIDS: launch of Action Plan in EU and neighbouring countries for 2014-2016

The European Commission has just launched an Action Plan on HIV/AIDS which prolongs and provides increased focus to existing EU action in this area, building on the achievements of the Action Plan 2009-2013.

In 2012, more than 131.000 new HIV infections were reported in Europe and Central Asia, and a total of 29.000 new cases in the European Union and European Economic Area. Effective treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections exists but there is still no cure, nor a preventive vaccine. That is why EU policy focuses on prevention, and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The EU helps by strengthening cooperation between national authorities, civil society and stakeholders across Europe.

HIV/AIDS policy

The 2009 Commission communication on combating HIV/AIDS in the EU and neighbouring countries identifies policies to help reduce the number of new infections and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Communication was translated in Russian by AIDS Action Europe and is available on their website.

The EU policies involve providing political support to authorities and stakeholders in EU countries and neighbouring countries to:

• improve access to prevention, treatment, care and support
• reach migrants from countries with a high prevalence of HIV
• improve policies targeting the populations most at risk.

An Action Plan 2014-2016 extending the action plan 2009-2013 explains how the EU, civil society, international organisations and stakeholders will achieve this.

Health programme

Implementation of policy on HIV/AIDS is funded through the EU health programme . The Consumers, Health and Food Executive Agency (Chafea) provides a comprehensive list of HIV/AIDS projects funded since 2003 .

Surveillance

The 2012 HIV/AIDS surveillance in Europe report is the result of monitoring by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and WHO Europe. The ECDC and Commission also cooperate on specific monitoring projects, e.g. on implementation of the Dublin declaration on fighting HIV/AIDS in the EU and Central Asia.

Cooperation

The Commission has set up two bodies to help with policy implementation and strengthen cooperation among countries, civil society and international organisations:

• HIV/AIDS Think Tank is a forum with representatives of EU Member States and neighbouring countries to exchange information and to strengthen cooperation.
• HIV/AIDS Civil Society Forum is a group of major European networks and NGOs, advising the Think Tank on policy formulation and implementation.

Both groups meet twice a year.