5.5 Million Babies Born HIV Free
Coming off the heels of Wednesday’s sobering UNAIDS Global AIDS Report, today’s news that 5.5 million babies globally have been born HIV-free due to PEPFAR’s programs is a welcoming bright spot in the troubling state of the global pediatric AIDS response. “This important milestone is a testament to the unwavering U.S. leadership through PEPFAR, and is proof that if the global health community uses the technical and diagnostic tools available to us, we can curb new HIV infections in children and move us closer to achieving an AIDS-free generation,” said EGPAF CEO and President, Chip Lyons. “More can and must be done to ensure we reach every mother and child with and at risk for HIV, only by doing so will we achieve an AIDS-free generation,” Lyons continued.
For the past thirty years, EGPAF has worked tirelessly to end mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) of HIV resulting in a 95% decrease in U.S. pediatric infections and significant reduction in MTCT globally. Since PEPFAR’s inception in 2004, the global health community has seen considerable progress in the fight against HIV in children, youth, and families. However, ensuring mothers living with HIV are accessing MTCT services both during and after their pregnancies is a critical component of ensuring babies born HIV-free stay HIV-free. Significant gaps remain during pregnancy and the breastfeeding period, in fact about half of all new HIV infections in children globally are the result of transmission during the breastfeeding period.
According to UNAIDS, ART coverage for pregnant women living with HIV has not meaningfully improved since 2014. In addition to applauding the infections that have been averted, the global health community cannot lose sight of reaching those children who are infected with HIV, half of whom remain untreated. “While the news coming out of PEPFAR is exciting, the global health community must not rest on our laurels with this impressive achievement. Instead, we must take decisive action to enact effective policies and fund vital programs that prioritize the lives of children, youth, and families most at risk for or living with HIV,” Lyons stated.
