Voluntary universal annual testing and immediate treatment might have major impact on widespread HIV epidemics

*Press Release WHO/44*
*26 November 2008*
*Voluntary universal annual testing and
immediate treatment might have major
impact on widespread HIV epidemics*
* 26 November 2008, Geneva �* A group of
specialists in the World Health
Organization (WHO) developed a mathematical
model and published findings in
the* Lancet* today to stimulate discussion, debate
and further research.
The model suggests that using annual, universal
voluntary HIV testing
followed by immediate ART (irrespective of
clinical stage or CD4 count)
reduces new cases by 95% within ten years.
Authors of the study also report that the
universal voluntary testing
followed by immediate ART could have additional
public health benefits
including reducing the incidence of tuberculosis
and the transmission of HIV
from mother to child. Additionally, the model
suggests that there could be
a significant reduction of HIV-related morbidity
and mortality in resource
limited countries with generalized HIV epidemics.
The current WHO policy on treatment involves
voluntary testing and clinical
and/or immunological evaluation (e.g. CD4 count)
to determine eligibility
for treatment with antiretrovirals.
The authors emphasize the theoretical nature of
the exercise based on data
and raise a number of concerns regarding
feasibility including the
protection of individual rights, drug resistance,
toxicity and financing
challenges.
The paper does not signal a change in WHO
guidance. WHO-recommended
preventive interventions need to be maintained
and expanded. This includes
male circumcision, partner reduction, correct and
consistent use of condoms,
and interventions targeting most-at-risk
populations, also known as
"combination prevention*. "*
WHO will convene a meeting early next year
bringing together ethicists,
funders, human rights advocates, clinicians,
prevention experts and AIDS
programme managers to discuss this and other
issues related to the wider use
of antiretroviral therapy for HIV prevention.
*For more information: *
Contacts: Dick Thompson, News Team Leader,
WHO, Geneva, Tel: +41 22 791
1492; Mob: +41 79 475 5534, Email:
*thompsond@who. int* .
Website: *http://www.who.int/hiv/en/ * <
http://www.who.int/hiv/en/>