Title: AIDS impact [editorial]

POPLINE Document Number: 194644

Author(s):

van den Boom F
Sherr L

Source citation:

AIDS Care, 2004 Jul;16(5):547-549.

Abstract:

The 6th International AIDS Impact Conference was held on 7_/10 July 2003, in Milan, Italy. As the epidemic evolves, treatments improve, access is debated and psychosocial ramifications are underscored, the importance and relevance of such a meeting was immense. The conference linked the psychological, social and socio-political, together with the biomedical aspects of HIV and AIDS and emphasized the fact that in order to fight this epidemic, a comprehensive approach is needed. The broad themes of the 2003 conference were: 1. Living with HIV/AIDS, with the sub-themes: quality of life; adherence to, complications of and reasons for discontinuation of HAART; disclosure; sexual behaviour and dysfunction; prevention issues; care and treatment issues, especially in disadvantaged populations (migrants, the homeless, drug users). 2. Prevention of HIV, addressing the challenges and advances in different target groups (gay men, drug users, sex workers, adolescents, women and men), as well as discussing the need for new preventive technologies, such as vaccines and microbicides. 3. The social, socio-political and socio-economical aspects of the epidemic: law, human rights and ethics (disclosure; infecting others, while not disclosing known serostatus; migrant populations). Access to and cost of treatment and other interventions. 4. Tomorrow’s generation, addressing transmission in pregnancy, parenthood, children, policy, stigma and the integration of approaches. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Global
Conferences and Congresses
Evaluation
HIV Positive Persons
Policymakers
Psychosocial Factors
Political Factors
AIDS
Quality of Life
Legislation
Mother-to-Child Transmission
International Cooperation
Campaigns
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Administrative Personnel
Organization and Administration
Behavior
Social Welfare
Economic Factors
Communication Programs
Communication