REPORT: HIV Cases In The Caribbean Rise To PANDEMIC LEVELS . . . Driven By Inequality!!!

The HIV pandemic in Latin America and the Caribbean is fuelled by a range of social and economic inequalities exacerbated by high levels of stigma, discrimination of highly vulnerable groups, and persistent gender inequality and homophobia, says a new report issued in Lima, Peru by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). It is released on the occasion of World AIDS Day 2009.

"Despite efforts to reduce the impact on HIV in the region, many of these factors have not been adequately addressed," says the report. "Most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are affected by social and economic inequality which creates a growing gap in health conditions between those who can afford medical services and have access to higher education and those who live in precarious conditions with little or no medical services and limited access to education and prevention information," it adds.

The report mentions that even if many countries in the region can be considered as having "low level" epidemics among the general population, prevalence rates among highly vulnerable communities such as men who have sex with men; prisoners; sex workers, and injecting drug users are typically very high, going over 5 per cent.

It also names other most at risk population such as vulnerable young people, migrants and displaced people.

"Understanding the local specificities of the HIV pandemic is key to success in reducing the scale of HIV transmission. It is vital to work directly with most at risk populations to try to prevent further infections, employing a range of approaches such as peer education and behaviour change communication," explains Julie Hoare, the IFRC's health and social services coordinator for the Americas. "Addressing vulnerability by advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable communities confronted with the threat of HIV, improving access to services and reducing stigma and discrimination are equally important."

The IFRC report provides several examples of HIV programmes that have been adapted by Red Cross societies to focus on the needs of minority groups like indigenous people in Colombia, Guatemala and Ecuador as well as young people in countries such as Haiti, Jamaica and Argentina.

The document also highlights the necessity for the international community not to lower but rather "increase its level of funding" for HIV, also reminding that addressing HIV and AIDS requires long-term sustainable action.

"Even though this report focuses on just one region, many of the trends identified are actually also relevant in other parts of the world, including in Africa which remains by far the most affected continent," concludes Getachew Gizaw, acting head of the IFRC's global programme on HIV.

In 2008, Red Cross and Red Crescent societies throughout the world reached more than 27.4 million people, including 132,500 people living with HIV and 128,200 children orphaned by AIDS, through prevention messages and direct psychosocial support. The aim by 2010 is to double Red Cross Red Crescent programming in targeted communities.