Economic Factors Hamper HIV Control Efforts

Despite substantial advances in HIV treatment and prevention, the implementation of both is limited by cost constraints.

From a scientific standpoint, worldwide control of the HIV epidemic has never seemed as feasible as it does right now. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been shown to prevent transmission of the virus, new HIV drugs and one-pill once-daily regimens continue to improve efficacy and adherence, and the race for a cure has resumed. These positive developments have prompted calls for expanded HIV testing and higher CD4-cell–count thresholds for starting ART. Unfortunately, expanding the use of ART for treatment and prevention, even if it is clearly cost-effective, requires additional resources — and the funding available to maintain even current levels of HIV control has plateaued or declined in the current global economy.

In 2010, donor governmen…

Author

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Economic Factors Hamper HIV Control Efforts

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