35 research outputs found
Understanding and comparing HIV-related law & policy environments: cross-national data and accountability for the global AIDS response
Law and policy differences help explain why, as HIV-related science has advanced swiftly, some countries have realised remarkable progress on AIDS while others see expanding epidemics. We describe the structure and findings of a new dataset and research platform, the HIV Policy Lab, which fills an important knowledge gap by measuring the HIV-related policy environment across 33 indicators and 194 countries over time, with online access and visualisation. Cross-national indicators can be critical tools in international governance—building social power to monitor state behaviour with the potential to change policy and improve domestic accountability. This new and evolving effort collects data about policy through review of legal documents, official government reports and systematic review of secondary sources. Alignment between national policy environments and global norms is demonstrated through comparison with international public health guidance and agreements. We demonstrate substantial variation in the content of law and policies between countries, regions and policy areas. Given progress in basic and implementation science, it would be tempting to believe most countries have adopted policies aligned with global norms, with a few outliers. Data show this is not the case. Globally, alignment is higher on clinical and treatment policies than on prevention, testing and structural policies. Policy-makers, researchers, civil society, finance agencies and others can use these data to better understand the policy environment within and across countries and support reform. Longitudinal analysis enables evaluation of the impact of laws and policies on HIV outcomes and research about the political drivers of policy choice
HIV estimates at second subnational level from national population-based surveys
International audienceObjectives: A better understanding of the subnational variations could be paramount to the efficiency and effectiveness of the response to the HIV epidemic. The purpose of this study is to describe the methodology used to produce the first estimates at second subnational level released by UNAIDS. Methods: We selected national population-based surveys with HIV testing and survey clusters geolocation, conducted in 2008 or later. A kernel density estimation approach (prevR) with adaptive bandwidths was used to generate a surface of HIV prevalence. This surface was combined with LandScan global population distribution grid to estimate the spatial distribution of people living with HIV (PLWHIV). Finally, results were adjusted to national UNAIDS's published estimates and merged per second subnational administrative unit. An indicator of the quality of the estimates was computed for each administrative unit. Results: These estimates combine two complementary approaches: the prevR method, focusing on spatial variations of HIV prevalence, as well as national estimates published by UNAIDS, taking into account trends of HIV prevalence over time. Seventeen country reports have been produced. However, quality of the estimates at second subnational level is highly heterogonous between countries, depending on the number of units and the survey sampling size. In some countries, estimates at second subnational level are very uncertain and should be interpreted with caution. Conclusion: These estimates at second subnational level constitute a first step to help countries to better understand their HIV epidemic and to inform programming at lower geographical levels. Further developments are needed to better match local needs
Monitoring HIV-Related Laws and Policies: Lessons for AIDS and Global Health in Agenda 2030
S1 Data - Removing the societal and legal impediments to the HIV response: An evidence-based framework for 2025 and beyond
Societal and legal impediments inhibit quality HIV prevention, care, treatment and support services and need to be removed. The political declaration adopted by UN member countries at the high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS in June 2021, included new societal enabler global targets for achievement by 2025 that will address this gap. Our paper describes how and why UNAIDS arrived at the societal enabler targets adopted. We conducted a scoping review and led a participatory process between January 2019 and June 2020 to develop an evidence-based framework for action, propose global societal enabler targets, and identify indicators for monitoring progress. A re-envisioned framework called the ‘3 S’s of the HIV response: Society, Systems and Services’ was defined. In the framework, societal enablers enhance the effectiveness of HIV programmes by removing impediments to service availability, access and uptake at the societal level, while service and system enablers improve efficiencies in and expand the reach of HIV services and systems. Investments in societal enabling approaches that remove legal barriers, shift harmful social and gender norms, reduce inequalities and improve institutional and community structures are needed to progressively realize four overarching societal enablers, the first three of which fall within the purview of the HIV sector: (i) societies with supportive legal environments and access to justice, (ii) gender equal societies, (iii) societies free from stigma and discrimination, and (iv) co-action across development sectors to reduce exclusion and poverty. Three top-line and 15 detailed targets were recommended for monitoring progress towards their achievement. The clear articulation of societal enablers in the re-envisioned framework should have a substantial impact on improving the effectiveness of core HIV programmes if implemented. Together with the new global targets, the framework will also galvanize advocacy to scale up societal enabling approaches with proven impact on HIV outcomes
Removing the societal and legal impediments to the HIV response: An evidence-based framework for 2025 and beyond.
Societal and legal impediments inhibit quality HIV prevention, care, treatment and support services and need to be removed. The political declaration adopted by UN member countries at the high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS in June 2021, included new societal enabler global targets for achievement by 2025 that will address this gap. Our paper describes how and why UNAIDS arrived at the societal enabler targets adopted. We conducted a scoping review and led a participatory process between January 2019 and June 2020 to develop an evidence-based framework for action, propose global societal enabler targets, and identify indicators for monitoring progress. A re-envisioned framework called the '3 S's of the HIV response: Society, Systems and Services' was defined. In the framework, societal enablers enhance the effectiveness of HIV programmes by removing impediments to service availability, access and uptake at the societal level, while service and system enablers improve efficiencies in and expand the reach of HIV services and systems. Investments in societal enabling approaches that remove legal barriers, shift harmful social and gender norms, reduce inequalities and improve institutional and community structures are needed to progressively realize four overarching societal enablers, the first three of which fall within the purview of the HIV sector: (i) societies with supportive legal environments and access to justice, (ii) gender equal societies, (iii) societies free from stigma and discrimination, and (iv) co-action across development sectors to reduce exclusion and poverty. Three top-line and 15 detailed targets were recommended for monitoring progress towards their achievement. The clear articulation of societal enablers in the re-envisioned framework should have a substantial impact on improving the effectiveness of core HIV programmes if implemented. Together with the new global targets, the framework will also galvanize advocacy to scale up societal enabling approaches with proven impact on HIV outcomes
Percentage of countries with proposed gender equality and stigma and discrimination indicators below or above the recommended targets.
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Societal enabler targets for achievement by 2025 in the HIV sector and recommended indicators to assess progress.
Societal enabler targets for achievement by 2025 in the HIV sector and recommended indicators to assess progress.</p
The 3 S’s of the HIV response: A new framework for conceptualising enablers of HIV services and systems and the social environment in which they operate.
The 3 S’s of the HIV response: A new framework for conceptualising enablers of HIV services and systems and the social environment in which they operate.</p
