The European Union (EU) is entering a pivotal phase with a new political mandate—its last complete cycle before the 2030 deadline to achieve global health goals. This presents a vital opportunity to revamp political leadership in combating HIV. Momentum for action is building, driven by growing calls for a new EU HIV Action Plan. A recently published multi-stakeholder consensus statement lays the groundwork for this vision. This document, endorsed by national governments, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS, civil society, and industry leaders, highlights lingering gaps in the EU’s HIV response and outlines a roadmap for action that could guide the European Commission’s new mandate.
As EU institutions define their priorities for this political cycle, transforming these insights into immediate policy measures is crucial. Key proposals include:
– Strengthening primary prevention programs and ensuring easier access to prevention tools.
– Boosting funding at local and regional levels to address unmet needs.
– Empowering community-based and -led organizations, which play a critical role in advancing HIV initiatives.
– Fostering innovation, paving the way for groundbreaking solutions to fight HIV more effectively.
The Promise of Long-Acting Therapies: A Shift in HIV Care
Experts across the HIV advocacy spectrum agree that the latest innovations hold the key to ending the epidemic, particularly for disproportionately affected communities. Long-acting therapies are among the most transformative tools in this effort. Once viewed as an experimental possibility, they are now available and making a real-world impact, creating a new benchmark for HIV care that prioritizes individuals’ quality of life and a personalized approach to treatment.
Daily oral pills for both HIV prevention and antiretroviral therapy remain highly effective, but they are not without challenges. Many individuals struggle to maintain adherence to a daily regimen, which can negatively affect both their health and overall well-being.
While oral pills will continue to be the preferred choice for some, long-acting therapies—characterized by extended dosing intervals and simplified regimens—offer an appealing alternative for many. By aligning better with individuals’ needs and preferences, these therapies promise to improve adherence rates and address the stigma that some users encounter with daily pill intake.
Studies have already shown strong acceptance of long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) options among key groups. For example, data from the PROTECT study spanning 21 European countries revealed that over 80% of surveyed participants—specifically men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women—expressed high interest in using long-acting PrEP. Moreover, these injectable long-acting options hold significant potential to address the unmet prevention needs of other groups experiencing rising infection rates, such as cisgender heterosexuals.
By broadening choices and making prevention tools more accessible, long-acting therapies have the potential to revolutionize HIV prevention and care across Europe. This shift is not just an innovation in medicine but a critical step toward the broader goal of ending the HIV epidemic once and for all.
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