-Automatic translation-

The World Health Organization (WHO) chooses the theme of the day each year, and this year it is: Let Communities Lead! This theme underlines the importance of strengthening cooperation between government and community, strengthening trust, and listening to the grassroots. Cooperation can lead to more successful ways to reduce and eradicate AIDS.

The early stages of HIV infection were identified in the nineties when little knowledge about the mechanism of infection and the disease prevailed. For example, people who are now well known did not know that HIV is not transmitted through contact. The disease was associated with a high level of ignorance which caused fear and prejudice towards infected people. These years were a time when many people were hard-pressed to find a home. Young people died in the prime of life and both the infected and their families suffered from prejudice that arose in society. Prejudice and ignorance regarding HIV and AIDS remain, although progress has been made in the 40 years that have passed.

Much progress has been made in the treatment of HIV in the past 25 years. The disease is incurable to this day, but there are good drugs that can keep the disease at bay and significantly improve patients' well-being and life length. Today, individuals on antiretroviral therapy for HIV can lead normal lives and proper treatment with medication can reduce the risk of spreading HIV. Medication can in most cases prevent HIV infection from developing into AIDS.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 39 million people were living with HIV by the end of 2022. WHO aims to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. A target has been set for 2025, called 95-95-95. The targets include 95% of HIV-positive individuals being diagnosed, 95% of those diagnosed with HIV being treated, and 95% of those being treated having undetectable viral loads. To achieve the first goal, it is important to take more samples for analysis and to increase awareness and access to HIV tests. The latter two objectives have been very successful in Iceland.

In 2022, 39 individuals were diagnosed with HIV in Iceland. There were 28 males (72%) and 11 females. More than half were new diagnoses, but about half of them had a known infection, which had previously been diagnosed abroad. The vast majority of newly diagnosed cases were transmitted abroad. Two individuals were diagnosed with AIDS in Iceland in 2022, but there were no deaths.

HIV tests can be taken at the outpatient clinic for infectious diseases and the dermatology and sexually transmitted diseases department at Landspitali University Hospital or at healthcare centers. It is important that people have good access to diagnosis and treatment, so research, medication, and follow-up care of individuals with HIV/AIDS are free of charge.

See also:

• Sexually transmitted diseases, Directorate of Health

• The HIV Iceland Association

• Being HIV positive, Landspitali University Hospital (Icelandic)

• UNAIDS

• WHO
  

The Chief Epidemiologist