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HIV IN Europe Newsletter Issue No. 2 - August 2009

In this issue Update on the four ongoing HIV in Europe projects: HIV Indicator Diseases Across Europe The Stigma Index Project The Criminalisation of HIV in the WHO European Region Temporal Trends in Late Presenters over the European Continent HIV Indicator Diseases Across Europe The Indicator Diseases Project aims at assessing HIV prevalence for a number of indicator diseases in order to develop focused HIV testing in patients presenting with certain clinical conditions and/or diseases. Enrollment of approximately 7500 patients will begin in autumn 2009 after obtainment of national ethical approvals. The HIV in Europe Conference in Stockholm in November 2009 will serve as a technical support meeting for collaborating European clinics and the first phase of the project will run until mid 2010. The project has received an enormous interest, which has meant that not all interested centers will be able to receive funding for initiating a survey for one of the indicator diseases in the pilote phase. All interested clinics can however be included in the study group. HIV in Europe is continuously applying for increased funding to support this important project that is planned to continue in a second phase after an evaluation of the pilot phase in 2010. The Stigma Index Project HIV in Europe's Stigma Index Project builds on the work of ‘The People living with HIV Stigma Index’ (developed by the Global Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+), the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW), the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and UNAIDS) and will support the rolling out the stigma index in three countries in the European region. The meeting in Stockholm in November 2009 will present country plans for rolling out the stigma index that are currently under development with the support of GNP+ and discuss challenges of implementing the index. The Criminalisation of HIV in the WHO European Region The pilot study will investigate seven jurisdictions within the EU reflecting different legal traditions/approaches. The countries are: Sweden, United Kingdom, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Switzerland and Ukraine. The pilot study will be undertaken by Dr Matthew Weait, School of Law, Birkbeck College, University of London in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Preliminary findings will be presented in Stockholm. Temporal Trends in Late Presenters over the European Continent One important issue for HIV in Europe and for the Stockholm 2009 Conference is the issue of methods for establishing the extent of HIV epidemics and trends in prevalence. The Conference will make room for discussions on methods for estimation of the number of people with undiagnosed HIV and how to define a "late presenter".	HIV in Europe 2009 Conference, 2nd and 3rd of November, The Nobel Forum, Stockholm The conference will take place under the auspices of the Swedish EU Presidency, and will be a follow-up meeting of the HIV in Europe 2007 Conference in Brussels on optimal testing and earlier care. The conference in Stockholm will once again gather key stakeholders around this important issue and discuss the four ongoing projects of the HIV in Europe initiative. Read more Swedish Presidency of the European Union , see here Endorsers and Sponsors For more information on the Endorsers and Sponsers of the HIV in Europe initiative, see here. Presentations at European Meetings and Conferences “HIV in Europe – Working Together for Optimal Testing and Earlier Care”, EHMA Annual Conference, Innsbruck/ Austria, June 24-26 SUCCESS IN A CHANGING MARKET: INNOVATION, FUNDING, COMMUNICATION Speakers: José Gatell, University of Barcelona, member of HIV in Europe Steering Committee and Anna Zakowicz, Chair, EATG. The Structure of HIV in Europe HIV in Europe has 3 components; the coordination secretariat is based at Copenhagen HIV Programme, the advocacy secretariat at European Aids Treatment Group in Brussels and the management of funds at Aids Fonds in the Netherlands. This ensures transparency and sharing of responsibilities as it reflects the diversity of HIV in Europe with its representation of both clinicians, policy makers and civil society advocates. The Steering Committee of the initiative also has this diverse representation and has WHO, EMCDDA and ECDC as observers.
Website: http://www.hiveurope.eu/ To subscribe to the HIV in Europe newsletter please send an email to hiveurope@cphiv.dk