Episode 558: MJA Podcasts 2024 Episode 17: HIV in Australia – the latest epidemiology, developments in treatment and the path to elimination of HIV transmission
May 19, 2024
auto_awesome
Dr. Phillip Keen and Dr. Francesca di Giallonardo discuss HIV in Australia, including treatment advancements and efforts to eliminate transmission. They explore declining new diagnoses, the importance of genetic surveillance, and the country's initiative to reduce new HIV cases by 90% by 2030. They also address stigma around HIV testing, at-risk groups, and the research project focusing on patient confidentiality and data de-identification for targeted prevention measures.
Australia aims to eliminate HIV transmission by 2030 through expanding access to PrEP and embedding testing in medical settings.
Genetic-based surveillance with molecular epidemiology helps track HIV transmission patterns and inform public health prevention strategies effectively.
Deep dives
Decline in New HIV Diagnoses in Australia
In Australia, there has been a significant decline in new HIV diagnoses, with a 46% reduction between 2013 and 2022. The country aims to achieve the elimination of HIV transmission by 2030, focusing on strategies like expanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and embedding HIV testing in medical settings.
Challenges in HIV Detection and Stigma
Late HIV diagnosis remains a challenge, indicating a need to offer HIV tests to individuals diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections or showing indicative symptoms like unexplained weight loss. Stigma surrounding HIV poses barriers to testing, highlighting the importance of destigmatizing the condition to encourage wider testing.
Genetic-Based Surveillance for Tracking HIV
Genetic-based surveillance, including molecular epidemiology, helps track HIV transmission patterns by analyzing genetic data from the virus. This approach utilizes phylogenetic analysis to understand disease spread at a population level and identify clusters of genetically similar viruses. Such data can inform public health strategies by recognizing growing clusters and targeting prevention measures effectively.
Today we are discussing HIV in Australia – including the latest epidemiology, developments in treatment and the path to elimination of HIV transmission.
My special guests, Dr Phillip Keen and Dr Francesca di Giallonardo, are senior research fellows at the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney.