German Aid Aid on HIV infection rates: expanding success, closing gaps
20.11.2019 11:59
The number of new HIV infections in Germany has fallen again. 2,400 people were infected in 2018, around 100 fewer than the previous year. The number has been declining since 2015. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced this on November 14, 2019.
“The decline in new infections is a success of prevention and HIV therapy, which also prevents transmission. The successful paths now need to be further expanded: with even more special test offers and access to medical treatment for everyone in Germany. Prevention gaps must finally be closed. “The numbers can then fall even further,” explains Sylvia Urban from the board of the German Aids Aid (DAH).
Preventable HIV infections arise, among other things, because there is still no provision of clean syringes in prison in Germany and because people without residence documents actually have no access to HIV therapy. According to Urban, this urgently needs to be remedied.
The potential of HIV prophylaxis PrEP is far from being exhausted. In all likelihood, it has already contributed to the falling number of new infections. It has been available with a private prescription at affordable prices since autumn 2017, and statutory health insurance companies have been covering the costs since September 1, 2019. PrEP now needs to be made even better known.
Success with gay and bisexual men
Among men who have sex with men, the most affected group, the number of new infections has fallen by more than a quarter since 2012. Main reason: According to the RKI, HIV infections in this group have been diagnosed and treated earlier in recent years - this also prevents further infections.
Increase in drug users
The continued increase in HIV infections among people who use intravenous drugs requires particular attention. Successful testing programs for HIV and hepatitis C must therefore be continued and expanded. New substances and forms of consumption require an intensive and differentiated approach in prevention. In prison, widespread access to substitution therapies and clean syringes must be guaranteed. Drug consumption rooms are also urgently needed in all federal states.
In addition, HIV-positive drug users often do not receive HIV therapy. According to the RKI's DRUCK study (2016), the treatment rate for people who were knowingly HIV-positive was only 55 percent (general: 93%). There is an urgent need for action here.