By: Jerry P. Abraham, MD MPH CMQ
I recently had the privilege to attend the 25th Annual International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany. I was able to expand my knowledge on the latest updates regarding HIV and AIDS-based testing, treatment, and prevention as well and experience heartfelt first-hand anecdotes from people currently living with HIV. This conference is an opportunity to unite as a global community and keep each other informed and connected in order to ensure that all persons regardless of sexual orientation are properly protected and supported in their experience with HIV.
Here are some of the highlights from AIDS 2024:
Arguably the biggest piece of news regarded a man in Berlin who is currently being hailed as another fruitful case of someone being completely cured of HIV/AIDS. This miracle is enacted through a medical procedure known as stem cell transplantation. Through this advancement, multiple people have been able to say they have been successfully cured of their AIDS, including men such as Adam Castillejo, Paul Edmonds, and Marc Franke who were all in attendance and served as speakers at the conference.
Another triumph was discussed at the conference, specifically in regards to preventative methods known as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, also known as PrEP. A new injectable drug known as Lenacapavir has been introduced as a bi-annual shot that has shown an astounding 100% efficacy in HIV prevention tests that have been conducted so far. Of course, this drug is still new, and there is still much to figure out about its actual production and distribution (ensuring it is affordable and accessible to all), but the medicine’s potential is extremely exciting. This will provide equal protections to those who struggle to remember or who are unable to regularly access PrEP medications.
The conference also brought with it a call for equity. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a push to destigmatize the virus on a global scale. Vulnerable groups such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, women and girls, and drug users are ostracized and looked down upon in an already frightening and vulnerable time in their lives. The conference placed an emphasis on uniting behind and supporting these groups in their moment of need to make sure they are provided with proper care both emotionally and physically, especially trans people of color.
Overall, the themes of the meeting were choice and support. In order for all people to be properly protected and supported we must provide them with the tools to prevent infection and, if infection occurs, the means to treat it in a way that is affordable and accessible to them. With governments across the globe rolling back their AIDS initiatives and medical facilities already combating overwhelming workloads, it is hard to imagine how we can do much more. However, it is our job as a group to band together and fight for ourselves and our community members in order to ensure each person gets the care they deserve, no matter who they are or where they live around the world.
REMEMBER, you can visit DR. ABRAHAM & the JWCH-WESLEY STREET MEDICINE TEAM every Sunday night at Tempo Night Club and get all your HIV/AIDS questions and needs met! So come out and have fun and play safe!
Dr. Jerry P. Abraham is President of the Los Angeles County Medical Association LACMA and serves as LGBTQ+ Commissioner of Los Angeles County.