News and media releases
US Study - threat of HIV Drug Resistance 19 December 2001
Don Baxter appointed as AFAO's new Executive Director 6 November 2001
HIV/AIDS initaitives in Asia/Pacific 10 October 2001
Footing the bill for HIV/AIDS in the developing world 6 October 2001
Dr Wooldridge's HIV/AIDS record commended 7 September 2001
Monash IVF decision Media Enquiries 14 August 2001
Cheap HIV/AIDS drugs in the Asia Pacific Region Friday, June 29, 2001
Mandatory HIV Screening of UN East Timor personnel Thursday, June 28, 2001
United Nations HIV/AIDS Special Session draft final Declaration of Commitment released Tuesday, 26 June, 2001
"20TH ANNIVERSARY OF AIDS: Remembrance, Reflection, Regeneration" Monday June 4, 2001
AFAO Welcomes Australian UN Amabassador's Global Strategy on HIV/AIDS Wednesday May 23, 2001
Victorian HIV figures call for new and innovative responses Wednesday, 28 March, 2001
Victorian AIDS Council Gay Men’s Health Centre: Victorian figures a warning against complacency Wednesday, 28 March, 2001
Price reduction in HIV/AIDS drugs in Africa a step in the right direction Monday 12 March 2001
Increase in high risk sexual behavior cause for concern Thursday October 5, 2000
Media distorts HIV figures Thursday October 5, 2000
Wednesday December 19, 01
Threat of HIV Drug Resistance - US Study has Direct Implications for Australia
A large United States study which found that more than half of patients receiving care were resistant to one or more HIV antiviral drugs has direct implications for Australia according to the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO).
"This study underscores two things very clearly - we need new and better drugs for people already living with HIV, and we need to do all we can to promote prevention to stop new HIV infections." said AFAO National President Bill Whittaker.
"The majority of Australians with HIV are currently on antiviral treatment. While a significant number are doing well at the moment, other patients are clearly not because of drug resistance, drug toxicities and other problems. People are still dying from AIDS in Australia. Looking at the next 2 to 3 years, the pipeline of new drugs looks like slowing to a trickle. Therefore the future for some of those failing HIV treatment and with few or no options left will be precarious. So we urgently need new drugs for these people."
"To develop new drugs, we need to support HIV research. Australia has made many important contributions to knowledge about HIV, which helps us develop new and better drugs. Our model of dedicated funding and national HIV research centres has served Australia very well. As Australia is scheduled to review our National HIV/AIDS Strategy in 2002, we need to look really carefully at how we best support future HIV research efforts in Australia."
"The US study also underscores that HIV prevention must remain the highest priority for Australia's HIV response. Over the past 2 years there have been clear signs of increasing rates of unsafe sexual practices. The consistent falls we've seen in new infection rates over the past decade seem to have plateaued now. Indeed, in Victoria in 2000 we saw a rise in new HIV infections, which is a wake up call for all Australia."
"Undoubtedly, some of the new infections we're seeing are because people believe HIV antiviral treatments are a cure for HIV or at least that they will always work and are not difficult to take. Research like the US study confirms what we already know - this is just not the case. As we move to review our National HIV Strategy, a key question to ask is are we doing enough to maximize prevention efforts, especially among those at higher risk."
[Note: The US study of 1647 men and women was led by Dr Douglas Richman of the US Veteran's Administration hospital and the University of California in San Diego. Dr Richman is a leading HIV/AIDS researcher.]
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Tuesday, November 6, 2001
DON BAXTER APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AFAO has announced the appointment of Don Baxter as its new Executive Director. Baxter replaces outgoing ED, Robin Gorna, who is stepping down after 3 years in the position. Baxter will take up his appointment on 10 December. Baxter is a former Executive Director of the AIDS Council of NSW and served on the Board of AFAO for several years. For the past 5 years he has held a senior position in Arts administration with the Australia Council. AFAO National President Bill Whittaker warmly welcomed Baxter’s appointment and said he believed he would build on the many achievements of his predecessor, Robin Gorna.
“We’re delighted with Don’s appointment. He brings to AFAO a wealth of knowledge and experience in HIV/AIDS, in health administration and in advocacy for communities particularly affected by AIDS. Don played a central role in the creation of Australia’s successful HIV response. He takes up the position of ED at a time of many challenges for the Australian response, both nationally and regionally. Don’s experience and insights will be a great asset.”
Whittaker paid tribute to outgoing Executive Director Robin Gorna.
“Robin has made an enormous impact during her term with AFAO - and the Australian HIV response is stronger for this. Robin’s many achievements include AFAO’s successful partnership in the Australian Vaccine Consortium, enhancing the capacity of our member organisations such as NAPWA, strengthening AFAO’s management and financial structure, and keeping AFAO at the forefront of HIV policy and advocacy.”
AFAO also announced the makeup of the new AFAO Board 2001/2, elected at the AFAO AGM on 4 November. Bill Whittaker was re-elected National President, Ben Harris (Vice-President), Trish Langdon (Treasurer), Adrian Lovney (Secretary) and Mike Kennedy, Board Member. Responses to AFAO’s federal election questionnaire to all major political parties are being posted to the AFAO website. These can be viewed on the home page. Whittaker noted that all parties had committed to continuing a strong AIDS response and to maintaining a bi-partisan approach to the epidemic.
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Wednesday October 10, 2001
AFAO welcomes Downer's HIV/AIDS initiatives in the Asia Pacific
AFAO President Bill Whittaker has warmly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs ALexander Downer of new initiatives to tackle HIV/AIDS in the Asia Pacific region. "Australia has shown remarkable leadership in convening the Asia Pacific Ministerial Meeting on HIV/AIDS, and we are delighted that this will be followed by concrete activities to strengthen regional and national responses.
Minister Downer's A$50 million initiatives respond to the key actions needed to address HIV/AIDS - political leadership, community action, research and treatments. Australia is also showing great courage by responding to the WTO challenges which limit access to treatments.
"Political courage and leadership is also shown by the Asia Pacific Ministers' Statement, which supports much needed harm reduction initiatives in the region.
"Through these and further initiatives, AFAO looks forward to strengthening the relationship between government, community and science in responding to HIV/AIDS in the Asia PAcific Region as well as within Australia", Whittaker said.
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Saturday October 6, 2001
Footing the bill for HIV/AIDS
Meeting the cost of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the developing world will be “the most challenging imperative of this century,” according to Professor Stefano Vella, President of the International AIDS Society. Professor Vella estimated the cost of meeting the challenge of HIV/AIDS in the developing world at seven to nine billion dollars a year.
“This cost should be met by the wealthy countries,” he said.
Professor Vella was speaking at the opening plenary session of the Sixth International Congress on AIDS and the Pacific (ICAAP), being held at the Melbourne Convention Centre this week. More than 3 000 delegates from most Asian and Pacific countries are attending the Congress. “The prices of antiretroviral drugs represent a major factor for the lack of access to therapy” for people in developing countries,” Professor Vella said.
“However, we know that in recent times there have been changes in terms of cost,” he said. The increasing availability of generic drugs and the willingness of drug companies to make drugs available on a “no-profit” basis was reducing the cost of treatments. This would reduce the cost of antiretroviral treatments to perhaps $300 a year per patient, he said. But this was still well beyond the reach of most people with HIV/AIDS in developing countries.
“The ‘North’ of the world should take this financial burden. For drugs, and also for the infrastructure and capacity to deliver them,” Vella said. Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, of the Department of Medicine of the University of Malaya, spoke about the challenges of providing treatment for HIV/AIDS-related opportunistic infections in developing countries. “In Malaysia 83% of people with HIV/AIDS present with symptoms of AIDS,” she said, “compared with a figure of 18% for Australian-born people in Australia.”
Lack of awareness, fear of disclosure and lack of resources were the key factors in preventing effective treatment of HIV/AIDS related infections in developing countries,” she said. ICAAP Co-Chair Robin Gorna said it was clear that the issue of access to treatments for people living with HIV/AIDS in the region was one, which needed to be addressed urgently.
“It is crucial that the immediate treatments for HIV and the infections associated with AIDS must be made available to people living with HIV/AIDS in the Asia Pacific. It must be met as a matter of urgency. People living with HIV/AIDS must be given a voice in the response against HIV/AIDS. Their human rights must be respected. “I welcome the view put by Professor Vella that the developed world fund the response against HIV/AIDS in the Asia Pacific. Wealthy nations have a moral duty to help slow down the growing epidemic in the region,” Gorna said. ICAAP
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Friday, September 7, 2001
Dr Wooldridge's HIV/AIDS record commended
Australia’s peak HIV/AIDS body, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), today praised the contribution of outgoing Federal Health Minister Dr Michael Wooldridge to the fight against HIV/AIDS during his service as a Federal MP, and in particular as Health Minister.
AFAO National President Bill Whittaker said Dr Wooldridge has given a high priority to HIV/AIDS as Health Minister and this had helped Australia remain a world leader in the management of the epidemic: “The Minister has been a strong supporter of prevention efforts aimed at people at higher risk to HIV/AIDS, including indigenous communities, gay men, injecting drug users and sex workers. This support has assisted Australia to maintain a relatively stable HIV epidemic to this point.
The Minister has also fostered bi-partisan support for Australia’s HIV/AIDS response, which again has been very important to our success. “The HIV/AIDS sector, and particularly people with HIV, are also very grateful for the way Minister Wooldridge supported early access to new HIV treatments as these have became available over the past 5 years. His support has been crucial to ensuring that HIV medications have been approved and funded in a timely manner.
“Dr Wooldridge has also shown a strong interest in the regional and international response to HIV/AIDS, most recently as leader of the Australian delegation to the first ever United Nations Session on HIV/AIDS in New York. “AFAO wishes Dr Wooldridge well in his retirement from Federal politics. We hope that there are opportunities for him to remain involved in the fight against AIDS,” Whittaker said.
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Tuesday, August 14, 2001
AFAO and National Association of People Living With HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) welcome Monash IVF decision
AFAO and NAPWA today welcome the decision by the Monash IVF Standards Committee to consider the claim of an HIV positive woman to access its IVF program. "While NAPWA is unhappy that an HIV positive woman's eligibility for IVF treatment should be questioned in the first instance, we strongly believe that assessing this person's case on it own merits and on the advice of her treating infectious diseases physician is a significant step forward," NAPWA Executive Officer Jo Watson said.
"It means that an HIV positive woman's desire to conceive through IVF is considered as valid as other women's. Hopefully this will provide great encouragement to other HIV positive women who wish to access IVF treatment."
AFAO Executive Director Robin Gorna says the Monash decision is a victory for public health: "We have known for some time now that recent developments in anti HIV drugs, together with bottle feeding and strategies for safe delivery can reduce the risk of HIV transmission from a woman to her baby to as low as 1 per cent. It is now very unlikely that a child born to a woman who knows she has HIV will acquire HIV - especially if she is receiving quality medical treatment.
"Furthermore, this woman's desire to conceive through IVF has also been motivated by a strong desire not to infect her partner. Supporting HIV-positive women and men to access fertility services should be a key component of public health measures, especially as increasing numbers of HIV-positive people are looking to better life expectancies and planning for their futures," Gorna said.
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Friday, June 29, 2001
"AFAO welcomes cheap HIV/AIDS drugs in the Asia Pacific Region"
Australia's peak HIV/AIDS non-government organisation, AFAO, has welcomed the announced by the Federal Health Minister Dr Michael Wooldridge of an agreement with Australian pharmaceutical companies which will see the cost of anti-retroviral HIV/AIDS drugs significantly reduced but has stated that it should form part of a wider strategy aimed at enabling widespread access to HIV/AIDS drugs in the region.
AFAO Acting Executive Director Chris Ward said that reducing the annual cost of treatment for a person with HIV in a country such as Thailand, Papua New Guinea or Fiji from around $10,000 to as little as $500 was a step in the right direction and would benefit those people most in need:"We must also remember that the long overdue change in attitude of the pharmaceutical companies cannot in itself deliver a comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment policy in the Asia Pacific region, " Ward said.
"The historic Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS just concluded at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, includes the aim of "strengthening pharmaceutical policies and practices, including those applicable to generic drugs and intellectual property regimes, in order further to promote innovation and the development of domestic industries consistent with international law."
"AFAO therefore calls on developed nations to allow such countries to exercise their rights under the WTO's Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Under this agreement, countries are permitted to search world markets for the cheapest price for a drug rather than buy it direct from the manufacturer. TRIPS also permits countries to manufacture a drug themselves, within the framework of their own health systems. This right is particularly significant in countries such as Thailand, which have already demonstrated their capacity to manufacture these life saving drugs.
"The emerging epidemic in the Asia Pacific region means it is imperative that we move swiftly to address the issue of HIV/AIDS. Some 1.6 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in South East Asia and in some countries like Papua New Guinea we are in the midst of an impending epidemic. Cheap affordable treatments combined with preventative education strategies are urgently required."
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Thursday, June 28, 2001
"AIDS Organisations reject mandatory HIV Screening of United Nations East Timor personnel"
Australia's peak HIV/AIDS body, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) has strongly rejected calls from the Northern Territory government to introduce compulsory HIV screening of UN workers in East Timor.
"While the latest report of a UN worker infecting a Darwin woman is indeed tragic, screening people for HIV based on mandatory testing is not an effective means of preventing HIV infection, and furthermore, can lead to stigma and discrimination," said AFAO Acting Executive Director Chris Ward.
"The action that the Northern Territory Government is demanding may unintentionally lead to effects such as reducing the likelihood that people would voluntarily seek HIV testing, and therefore, their willingness to access the appropriate information and treatments.
"Australia's successful record in dealing with HIV/AIDS demonstrates that the most effective strategy for preventing HIV infection is based upon the provision of education campaigns that inform people about how HIV is transmitted, and providing ongoing access to the means of prevention such as condoms, lubricant and sterile injecting equipment.
"Further tragedies, such as the one which has occurred in Darwin, may become more common if measures such as mandatory HIV testing of employees are put in place. Mandatory testing will only undermine proven effective HIV prevention strategies"
"As well as being flawed public health policy, the proposal by the Northern Territory government would contravene Australia's own Disability Discrimination Act.
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Tuesday, 26 June, 2001
"United Nations HIV/AIDS Special Session draft final Declaration of Commitment released"
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations (AFAO) has welcomed the finalization of the draft Declaration of Commitment to be adopted tomorrow at the first ever United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS.
"With over 36 million people infected with HIV, including over 7 million in the Asia Pacific region, the world must act now to stop the alarming spread of HIV and to provide better treatment and care for those living with the virus." said Robin Gorna, Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), Australia's peak non government organization (NGO) representing the community response to HIV/AIDS.
"This draft Declaration provides a vital opportunity to focus the minds of the world - particularly world leaders at this meeting - on that urgent challenge."
"This Declaration is an important blueprint for governments to work in partnership with NGOs and the scientific community to organise a much more effective global response to the epidemic. We look forward to its adoption tomorrow." Gorna said. AFAO has welcomed many aspects of the final Draft Declaration, particularly the fact that some clear plans, targets and outcomes have been set in HIV prevention, treatment and care for national, regional and international responses to the epidemic.
"We are very pleased to see strong statements about the empowerment of women to have control over their sexuality to help protect themselves from HIV." Gorna said.
"We are also very pleased to see clear references to the importance of harm reduction and clean injecting equipment as an essential component of reducing spread of HIV among drug users. Programs providing clean needles can dramatically reduce HIV infections. Australia has shown that in our response to AIDS.
"There are also clear statements in the Declaration about the vital importance of research, prevention and treatment access in the fight against AIDS. This is good news." Gorna said. However, AFAO is very disappointed and dismayed to note that while the Declaration states in many places how crucial it is to work with - and protect the rights of - vulnerable groups like men who have sex with men, sex workers and others, there is no clear listing of these vulnerable groups in the Declaration. This deletion of the clear list of vulnerable groups has been forced by a block of countries led by the Organisation of Islamic Conference. AFAO understands that without this compromise, it is very unlikely that the Declaration will be adopted at the session.
"The deletion of the list of vulnerable groups from what is otherwise a generally good Declaration is deeply disappointing. It will only foster denial and discrimination," said Gorna.
"We know this leads to less prevention work, more infections and poorer care for those living with and affected by AIDS. After 20 years and millions of deaths, the whole world should have learned this lesson by now."
"While we are disappointed by this issue, the Declaration as a whole should help to mobilize a more effective worldwide response. It is now up to governments around the world to put the words into action, through adequate resources and brave political leadership."
AFAO commends the dedication of all those who worked tirelessly to bring this draft Declaration to the General Assembly for adoption, including the officers and staff of UNAIDS.
"We want to particularly single out the enormous efforts of the Co-facilitator of the UN Special Session, Ambassador Penny Wensley of Australia. Ambassador Wensley's leadership and dedication have been truly remarkable," said Gorna.
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Monday June 4, 2001
"20TH ANNIVERSARY OF AIDS: Remembrance, Reflection, Regeneration"
Australia's peak national AIDS body, the Australian Federation of AIDS organisations (AFAO) says that the 20th anniversary of AIDS is a time to remember those loved ones lost to the virus, a time to reflect on this country's proud response to the disease and an opportunity to push forward with new strategies that deal with HIV/AIDS both on a national and regional level.
"It is important to acknowledge dates like these for they allow us the space to remember the friends, lovers and colleagues that have passed away but also to remind us that as a community Australia has shown a heartfelt commitment to fighting the virus, a fight that speaks for present and future generations, said AFAO Executive Committee member Mike Kennedy.
"We have come along way since the since the epidemic first began ravaging the gay male community in the early 1980'S. In 1985 notifications of HIV diagnoses were running at around 1700 per annum. Since the late 1990s notifications have slowly been decreasing across the board and have plateaued down to around 700 per year nationally. Australia's innovative community based safe sex education campaigns must take the credit for producing such a dramatic turnaround in the sexual behaviour of gay men in particular but also the wider community.
"Australia's quick adoption of needle and syringe exchange programs has also been crucial in containing the virus largely to the gay community where it started. This has not been the case in countries like the US where around half of the people infected with HIV are injecting drug users or heterosexuals.
"It also needs to be recognised that in Australia sex workers and their organisations were also early to take up HIV education which prevented infections in sex workers. "AIDS diagnoses reached a peak in 1994 at around 950 but have since dropped off sharply to less than 200 per annum. The improved efficacy of treatments, both antiretroviral therapies and treatments for opportunistic illnesses have given many people living with HIV the possibility of maintaining a healthy, active life for long periods of time. HIV is no longer the 'death sentence' it once was, which is reassuring but at the same time it means that we are now dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention in quite a changed environment to that which existed 15 or 20 years ago.
"The point should also be made however that while people are living longer with HIV treatments, side effects and poverty are having an impact on the quality of their lives.
"Though HIV infection rates/notifications are indeed declining at a national level there are a range of indicators over the past 12 months which suggest to us that the level of risk among gay men is increasing. We urgently need new and targeted education campaigns that are relevant for the entire range of gay men.
"However, new strategies to educate our community are highly reliant on the body of research which informs us. Australia has been at the global cutting edge in terms of its response to HIV/AIDS and there is doubt in our minds that this is in large part because of the commitment and resources it has dedicated to a comprehensive and coordinated research and surveillance program.
"In addition to a comprehensive notification system for new cases of HIV and AIDS, the Commonwealth provides funding to National Centres in HIV Research to provide epidemiological, clinical, virological, immunological, social and behavioural information and data relevant to policy objectives in the area of HIV/AIDS.
"It is an unfortunate fact that as we come to the 20th anniversary of the HIV/AIDS virus, dedicated funding levels of HIV Social research is now threadbare. Australia's health policy and HIV/AIDS strategy have been driven by a strong social, clinical, basic and epidemiological research base. It is our belief that politically committed and well funded research must continue to be the lynch pin of Australia's national and global strategy on HIV/AIDS.
'It is critical too, that the issue of funding accountability of Federal funds be addressed , particularly in relation to preventative education programs. At present it is difficult to know precisely where and how the money is being spent by the States.
"We must also maintain our commitment to the implementation of harm reduction drug strategies. It is proven that in Australia, a harm reduction approach to injecting drug use and HIV/AIDS prevention has been the most effective means of reducing exposure to HIV infection. It is crucial that the successful lessons of Australia's harm reduction strategy are also applied to those countries where drug use is driving the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
"The tripartite partnership of Government, science and community has proved to be a highly successful model for implementing AIDS policy in Australia. AFAO believes that such a model might be useful in terms of framing global strategies for tackling HIV/AIDS in developing countries.
"Australia can play an important role in shaping HIV/AIDS policy in the neighbouring Asia Pacific region where HIV infection rates are fast approaching those of Sub-Saharan Africa," Kennedy said.
Mike Kennedy is also the executive director of the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men's Health Centre and chairs the community committee for the upcoming 6th International Congress on AIDS in the Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) to be held in Melbourne in October.
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Wednesday May 23, 2001
"AFAO Welcomes Australian UN Amabassador's Global Strategy on HIV/AIDS"
Australia’s peak AIDS body, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), has welcomed the statements made yesterday by Australia’s ambassador to the UN Penny Wensley outlining the global importance of international efforts to arrest the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
AFAO President Bill Whittaker had been working with Wensley on her speech, made yesterday in New York City, at a special preparatory meeting for the upcoming United Nation Special Session on HIV/AIDS in June.
AFAO executive Director Robin Gorna said the ambassador’s input into the ‘declaration of commitment’ to be presented at the Special Session demonstrated the commitment and leadership that Australia was showing in respect to tackling the epidemic both on a local and global scale.
“Ms Wensley’s contribution is a reflection of the admired stance Australia has taken in respect to the HIV/AIDS issue over the past 20 years. It confirms to the world that we are indeed major innovators in providing effective political mechanisms for dealing with the disease.
“The tripartite partnership of Government, science and community has proved to be a highly successful model for implementing AIDS policy in Australia. AFAO would be hopeful that such a model could be considered for discussion at the Special Session in terms of framing global strategies for tackling HIV/AIDS in developing countries,” said Gorna. AFAO’s executive director stressed the importance of two key elements of Australia’s approach to HIV/AIDS policy as being the crucial role played by research and the implementation of harm reduction drug strategies.
“Australia’s health policy and HIV’AIDS strategy has been driven by a strong social, clinical, basic and epidemiological research base. It is our belief that politically committed and well funded research must continue to be the lynch pin of Australia’s national and global strategy on HIV/AIDS and one we would urge to be strongly considered at the Special Session.
“With respect to drug use, it is proven that in Australia, a harm reduction approach to injecting drug use and HIV/AIDS prevention has been the most effective means of reducing exposure to HIV infection. It is crucial that the successful lessons of Australia’s harm reduction strategy are applied to those countries where drug use is driving the HIV/AIDS epidemic. AFAO has been a key participant in world HIV/AIDS forums. Its national president, Bill Whittaker, is a member of the Australian delegation to the United Nations Special Session on HIV/AIDS and Gorna is co-chair of the upcoming Sixth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, to be held in Melbourne in October of this year. Gorna said Australia could play an important role in shaping HIV/AIDS policy in the neighbouring Asia Pacific region, noting the UN Secretary General’s remarks yesterday of a possible explosion of new infections in South East Asia.
“Kofi Annan’s statement that the epidemics being experienced in parts of South East Asia are similar to that in Africa is a timely reminder that Australia needs to respond to the HIV/AIDS issues that are confronting the region. Australia’s proven management of the HIV/AIDS epidemic at home ensures it is well placed to make a significant contribution to future strategies in the region.”
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Wednesday, 28 March, 2001
"Victorian HIV figures call for new and innovative responses"
Australia’s peak AIDS body, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), has said that the increase in HIV infections in Victoria over the year 2000 will require a range of new approaches to reinvigorate safe sex messages among gay men, and highlights the need for close monitoring of infections acquired overseas and through injecting drug use. AFAO cautions that these are not national HIV/AIDS figures.
“In terms of gay men, the increase in Victoria is worrying. But it is crucial to remember that we are still talking about relatively small numbers - and that the Victorian situation is not being mirrored nationally. Nevertheless, any increase is concerning and needs to be acted on,” said AFAO National President Bill Whittaker.
“Governments, health groups and community organisations need to build on current programs and create new innovative strategies to reinforce safe sex practices among gay men, where new challenges are making education work more complex,“ added Whittaker. Whittaker argues that new approaches to the issue must necessarily include a re-evaluation of how HIV funding is being allocated.
“While it is now difficult to get a clear picture on exactly how much is being spent on HIV/AIDS in Australia, it does appear that the level of spending on HIV prevention targeting gay men is currently at low levels overall. Yet the work that must be done is increasingly complex and challenging. This needs to be addressed,” said Whittaker.
AFAO’s National President pointed to research that showed most gay men were using condoms most of the time but that issues like advances in the treatment of AIDS, changes in the personal impact of HIV and other emerging issues meant that some gay men were sometimes less vigilant.
“The issue is a complex one. While there has been an increase in unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners and less use of condoms in general by gay men, and even HIV positive gay men, it isn’t necessarily unsafe sex.
” What we’re finding is that men are using really sophisticated strategies, some of which are arguably sound and others less so. In terms of infection rates through overseas acquisition and injecting drug use, Whittaker said that although these numbers were relatively small it was important to monitor these areas closely.
“In particular, we must resist attempts to diminish harm reduction approaches, such as needle and syringe programs.”
“The fact is Australia has done a remarkable job addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We’ve responded in a way that’s been very successful. But let’s also remember, HIV is a volatile communicable disease and we haven’t controlled it; we’ve just controlled it up to now. The challenge now is for us to create ways of dealing with rises in infection rates like those in Victoria that are both relevant and effective in this new AIDS era,” he said.
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Wednesday, 28 March, 2001
Victorian figures a warning against complacency
The Victorian AIDS figures released today are a sober warning to gay men that there is no room for complacency about HIV/AIDS, Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC) Executive Director Mike Kennedy said today. Kennedy was commenting on HIV/AIDS data for the 2000 calendar year, released today by Health Minister John Thwaites, which showed that newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Victoria rose from 140 in 1999 to 198 in 2000. The proportion of cases in homosexual and bisexual men also increased in 2000 after a steady decline though the 1990s.
“The increase in newly diagnosed HIV infection is concerning and needs action from all the communities affected by HIV to ensure that the increase is halted and new diagnoses decline”, Kennedy said. While social research shows that most gay men are using condoms most of the time, it also shows an increasing number of gay men who report that they sometimes have unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners, putting them at greater risk of HIV infection, Kennedy said. “There is no single explanation for what occurred in Victoria in 2000”, said Kennedy.
“Factors such as advances in the treatment of AIDS, reduced visibility of HIV/AIDS as an issue in the community, trusting that sexual partners will take responsibility for condom use if there is a need to do so, and making assumptions about one’s own and one’s partners HIV status have all been identified as contributing to the increase.”
When the increased infection rates were apparent in the first half of last year, VAC/GMHC launched a new campaign tagged “Consider This: It’s Our Choice: Safe Sex Now” which aimed to reinforce the culture of safe sex, particularly in the specific contexts in which risky behaviour may be occurring. This campaign continued through the Midsumma Carnival this year.
“With additional funding from the Department of Human Services, we are now implementing a comprehensive, multi-streamed response using a series of articles, posters, print resources, workshops and community forums informed by the evidence from a continuing program of social research”, said Kennedy. This strategy is building the capacity of individuals, groups and communities to respond to the current challenges of the HIV epidemic in Victoria by:
- maintaining and reinforcing safe sex culture and HIV awareness;
- promoting sexual health amongst gay men (both HIV positive and HIV negative);
- promoting testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI);
- addressing risk assessment and risk reduction strategies being used by gay men;
- providing up to date information on the transmission of HIV and other STIs; and
- building individuals’ skills and capacities to make informed choices about safe sexual and injecting behaviours and carry those choices through into action every time.
“The Victorian gay communities have a proud record of working together over the past 18 years to develop an effective community response to HIV/AIDS, preventing many thousands of potential HIV infections”, Kennedy said.
“I am confident that working together we can meet this new challenge and reduce the HIV infection rate in Victoria”.
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Monday 12 March 2001
"Price reduction in HIV/AIDS drugs in Africa a step in the right direction"
The announcement by US pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme to substantially reduce the price of two of its HIV treatment drugs in developing countries was cautiously received by the Australia's peak community AIDS body, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO). AFAO national president Bill Whittaker said that while the price reduction was a step in the right direction, he said it was just one of a number of actions that needed to be taken to make HIV/AIDS treatments more accessible to people in developing countries.
This year 11 million people in poor countries will die from infectious diseases. Nearly a quarter - 2.6 million - from HIV/AIDS. There are some 35 million people infected with HIV in the developing world, with new infections occurring every minute.
"So we urgently need a variety of actions on the treatment front. Price reductions alone are no substitute for either the generic production of these treatments in developing nations and/or their parallel importation. Major drug companies must not stand in the way of generic production - this is an important way to help make the prices of HIVÁIDS drugs much more affordable to HIV positive people in those countries. Developing countries should also be able to search out the cheapest source for drugs, either in their own country or elsewhere.
Compassionate access programs which provide free HIV drugs should also be expanded. Merck & Co is dropping the price of Crixivan from its regular price in the US of A$11 700 per patient per year to A$1180 a year in developing countries. It's other drug, Stocrin, will be sold for $975 per patient per year compared to A$9200 in the US.
The move by Merck & Co comes after a week in which intense focus has been directed at the worlds' multinational pharmaceutical companies, 40 of whom began their litigation case on Monday March 5 against the South African Government to prevent access to cheap HIV/AIDS medications. Merck is one of the companies seeking to overturn South Africa's Medicines and Related Substances Control Act.
Though Merck has in the first instance committed itself to provide the price reduced Crixivan and Stocrin in sub Saharan Africa, a company spokesperson told AFAO that it was the company's intention to distribute the drugs to Asia as well.
"We would call on Merck to extend this price reduction offer to other regions affected by the epidemic, such as Latin America and Asia/Pacific," said AFAO's Whittaker.
"Community groups around the world will be closely monitoring today's public commitment by Merck that it would hold discussions on a case by case basis, depending on the priorities and needs identified by other countries."
"Finally, we need to remember that providing HIV antiviral drugs alone is not enough without a health and medical infrastructure to support this. We also need unprecedented cooperation between government, international bodies such as the World Bank, private industry and civil society to build basic healthcare in these countries, and provide not only antiretroviral drugs but drugs such as simple antibiotics which are used to help treat and prevent AIDS related opportunistic infections."
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THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2000
"Increase in high risk sexual behavior cause for concern"
HIV/AIDS organisations today said they were seriously concerned about reported increases in unsafe sexual practices amongst some gay men. The Australian National Council on AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases (ANCAHRD) today released a report which shows a four per cent increase in unsafe sex practices in Sydney in the past three years amongst gay men having casual sex. The unsafe behaviour has not resulted in an increase in infections in NSW but Victorian government data shows a small recent increase in new HIV diagnoses.
"The Victorian figures are a serious concern, but there has been no increase in HIV infections in NSW," said Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), Executive Director, Ms Robin Gorna.
"Without an increase in NSW there is no national trend, as most of Australia's epidemic is concentrated in that state."
Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) Executive Director, Mike Kennedy, said AIDS Councils have run a number of hard-hitting education and prevention campaigns addressing this issue.
"Studies have shown the vast majority of gay men use condoms most of the time and have been doing so for the 15 years they have been living with this epidemic," Mr Kennedy said. "There is not an outbreak of unsafe sex amongst gay men," he said. NSW AIDS Council (ACON) Chief Executive Officer, Robert Griew, said there was no single reason for the increase and a simple response to the research was not possible.
"We need to consider all the reasons why this is happening and we need a package of responses if we are going to be serious about tackling this issue," he said.
Recent hard-hitting campaigns throughout Australia have targetted at-risk groups including Olympics visitors and gay men travelling between Australia and high-risk countries with high rates of HIV/AIDS. Other work includes a safe sex campaign for gay men with sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea, which can increase the risk of HIV infection and men in relationships where one partner is positive. Community based AIDS organisations needed to continue to work in co-operation with the Federal and State Governments and Health Departments targetting education and prevention campaigns aimed directly at high risk groups.
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Thursday October 5, 2000
"Media distorts HIV figures"
Paul Altman, Executive Officer of Policy and Corporate Affairs at the Victorian AIDS Council/ Gay Men's Health Centre, responds to media coverage of the rise in HIV Infections.
Many of you will have seen recent reports, mainly in The Age, regarding increased HIV infections in Victoria. In particular, Steve Dow has written two pieces - 'Dancing with death' (4 October 2000), and 'Deadly game of chance (for gays)' (8 October 2000). This morning (10 October 2000), an editorial, 'The grim reaper rides again' appeared. We have made several attempts to have factual errors in these articles corrected, and to put forward a point of view that is supported by evidence rather than largely anecdotal observation and opinion. Here is a brief summary of our point of view in relation to the reports:
We are certainly concerned by the rise in HIV infections in Victoria. We are more concerned that the number of us reporting that we sometimes have unprotected sex is increasing. After all, our goal is to reduce the incidence of unsafe sex, and reduce the number of HIV infections. However, to suggest that HIV/AIDS educators have 'dropped the ball' on HIV education is unjustified. In addition to years of hard hitting campaigns, they have spent the past several months addressing the rise in unsafe sex, including holding a number of community forums, and commencing new campaigns to reach those people who may be putting themselves, and others, at risk. More funding will be directed into these new campaigns, and you can expect to see the first phase of material in a venue near you by week's end.
The focus on the behaviour of young gay men is completely unsupportable. None of the data at our disposal indicates that the proportion of men under the age of 30 being diagnosed with HIV is significantly different now when compared with the history of the epidemic to date. Further, the National Centre in HIV Social Research has found that younger men are just as cautious, if not more so, in their sexual behaviours than those of us that are older. Chastising us for behaving irresponsibly is entirely unreasonable. We have responded exceptionally well to 17 years of safe-sex messages and the vast majority of us continue to have safe sex most of the time. Understandably, there may be some fatigue in relation to HIV. But it is entirely untrue to suggest that many of us are disengaging from it altogether.
The notion of 'crisis' and 'panic' is completely unwarranted. The number of new HIV infections have peaked and dropped in the past and these latest figures are well within the range of movements over the past several years. For example, in 1995/96, there were reported increases in infections in both NSW and Victoria which did not translate into a sustained upward trend. It is true that other cities, such as San Francisco, London and New York, have recently experienced trends of increasing HIV infections, but it is too early to say that the experience will be replicated here. After all, the latest figures show that Sydney, where most HIV infection in Australia is located, have reported a decrease in new HIV infections. Instilling fear or threatening punishment (eg images of dancing skeletons and the grim reaper revisited) are shortsighted means of effecting long term behavioural change. What must be fostered is an environment of mutual trust and respect, open and honest communication, and working with the community to develop campaigns and strategies that work for all of us. After all, most of us have a very sophisticated understanding of HIV. Treating us as fools or recalcitrants serves no useful purpose.
Drug taking in our community is certainly a concern and it is fair to say that there is a degree of sensitivity and lack of open discussion about it. There are also indications that the influence of drugs and alcohol may impair judgement about safe sex. But to identify drug taking as the primary factor in causing HIV infection is narrow minded to say the least. There are many other factors - self esteem and self confidence, simply feeling 'in the mood', the hope of a vaccine - just to name a few.
Drawing connections between unsafe sex and optimism about HIV treatments is also not borne out by the latest available evidence from the Melbourne Gay Community Periodic Survey, which indicates that the existence of new HIV treatments does not affect our decisions to have safe sex. References to 'barebacking' are sensationalist and misleading. We know from extensive social research that unprotected sex is happening mostly in episodic casual encounters, and it is not premeditated. The number of us who actively seek unsafe sex is extremely small.
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