Testing for HIV is an essential first step towards linking people with effective HIV prevention and treatment programming. People who know their HIV status can make decisions about their lives that can help prevent HIV acquisition or make it more likely they get treatment if they test positive. Studies have shown that the sooner people know their HIV status and get treatment after testing positive for HIV, the longer they can remain healthy.
Despite progress with HIV testing technology and uptake, many individuals vulnerable to HIV acquisition do not know their HIV status, in particular, people in key populations that face stigma and discrimination.
The IAS recognizes key populations as gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, prisoners and other incarcerated people, sex workers and their clients, and trans people. These populations are more likely to be exposed to HIV and face violence, stigma, discrimination and laws that restrict their movement or access to services.
This first event will review current knowledge on key populations and HIV testing, barriers to HIV testing and outreach strategies with the aim of identifying areas where the industry can contribute to improving testing for HIV.
This session is the first out of three in the Reaching the 95-95-95 targets: The importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration series. Watch session 2 here and session 3 here.
