Introduction:
We can only achieve an AIDS-free generation by addressing the social and economic factors that continue to fuel and impact the HIV epidemic. Inequity, exclusion, poverty, violence, and stigma continue to increase risk, decrease resilience, and compound the impact of the epidemic. Investing in social protection, care and support systems will improve the access, reach and utilization of proven high impact bio-medical interventions to achieve reductions in HIV related morbidity and mortality as well as reduce new infections. These investments will also enhance the quality of life for children and adolescents who are infected and affected, and mitigate the impacts of HIV that drive new HIV infections.
The UNAIDS HIV Investment Approach provides a clear rationale for the importance of addressing social and structural drivers to reduce HIV and its impact, but to date there has been inadequate investment, fragmented programming and low priority for protection, care and support. We can no longer afford to ignore them.
This call to action is for all who are committed to achieving an AIDS-free generation. It is an opportunity to come together across sectors, to bridge the health, economic and social divide, and adopt a life-cycle approach that will ensure HIV infection is halted from the time a child is planned, through childhood and adolescence, into adulthood.
It aims to:
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Leverage existing evidence and experience on how protection, care and support of children and adolescents is critical to achieving key HIV outcomes.
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Propose innovative solutions to challenges, seizing opportunities to integrate and link the services needed to achieve an AIDS-free generation.
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Mobilize action, and equip policy makers and practitioners to develop plans that embed protection, care and support in the HIV response and national development plans to achieve an AIDS-free generation.
