HIV epidemics in the European region: vulnerability and response - Directions in development

Publisher Marketing: This report provides a systematic review of the evidence on HIV vulnerability and response in all 53 countries of the WHO European Region, stretching from Iceland to the borders of China. It focuses on key populations most at risk of HIV infection: people who inject drugs, sex workers and men who have sex with men. It confirms that these populations are disproportionately affected by the growing HIV epidemic in Europe. Twenty-five percent of HIV diagnoses in Europe are associated with injecting drug use, with much higher proportions in Eastern Europe (33%) than in Western Europe (5%) and Central Europe (7%). Sex between men accounted for 10% of all HIV diagnoses, with higher rates reported in Western Europe (36%), followed by Central Europe (22%) and Eastern Europe (0.5%). HIV remains relatively low among female sex workers who do not inject drugs, (less than 1%), but higher among those who inject drugs (over 10%) as well as among male and transgender sex workers. The analysis highlights the pivotal role of social and structural factors in shaping HIV epidemics and HIV prevention responses. Poverty, marginalization and stigma contribute to the HIV epidemic in Europe and Central Asia. Economic volatility and recession risks are increasing vulnerability to HIV and infections. Barriers to successful HIV responses include the criminalization of sex work, of sex between men, and of drug use combined with social stigmatization, violence and rights violations. HIV prevention requires social and environmental change. The report calls for policymakers and HIV program implementers to target the right policies and programs to maximize the health and social impacts of Europe's HIV responses and get higher returns on HIV-related investments. The report is a product of a collaboration between the World Bank, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and UNAIDS.

Contributor Bio:  World Bank Group Founded in 1944, the World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of development assistance. The Bank is now working in more than 100 developing economies, bringing a mix of finance and ideas to improve living standards and eliminate the worst forms of poverty. For each of its clients, theBank works with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to formulate assistance strategies. Its country offices worldwide deliver the Bank's program in countries, liaise with government and civil society, and work to increase understanding of development issues. Contributor Bio:  Reynolds, Lucy Dr Lucy Reynolds founded the National Social Marketing Centre s widely acclaimed evidence resource, ShowCase, and is an expert in UK and international social marketing evidence. Lucy has published widely on social marketing theory and practice, in a academic, health and environment journals, as well as appearing on Radio 4. Lucy is a senior consultant at Finnamore, the UK s largest independent health consultancy, where she specialises in health inequalities, performance transformation and assets management.