aidsmap news: Long COVID more common in people with HIV, Monday 7 March 2022

News from aidsmap

Long COVID more common in people with HIV

Unvaccinated people with HIV were four times more likely than HIV-negative people to experience ‘long COVID’ symptoms after acute COVID-19 illness and these symptoms were associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers, a small study conducted by HIV researchers at University of California San Francisco has found.

Knowledge of U=U alone is unlikely to eradicate HIV stigma among gay and bisexual men in India, anthropologist argues

An ethnographic study explored how middle- and upper-class gay and bisexual men living with HIV in four Indian cities experience the concept of being undetectable in the context of preventing sexual HIV transmission.  For men in the study, the concept provided new ways to manage stigma and navigate responsibility.

Generic PrEP for young, at-risk MSM in the US could be cost-saving and health-enhancing

Cost-effective generic oral PrEP for young men who have sex with men (MSM) in the US could end up reducing new HIV infections by 15% among those at highest risk, Alyssa Amick from Massachusetts General Hospital reported to CROI 2022.

The intertwined relationship between stigma and sexual health among trans men in Uganda

Transgender men in Uganda experience stigma at multiple intersecting levels which negatively impacts their sexual health, a study published in the Journal of the International AIDS Society has found.  

Community-led trans-affirming care shown to improve PrEP uptake in trans communities

Two recent Californian studies show that PrEP from trans-affirming clinics combined with community outreach significantly improved PrEP uptake in trans communities. A multitude of strategies were employed including peer health education, community events and flexible out-of-hours clinics. Both studies encouraged participation and leadership from trans communities to improve knowledge about PrEP.

Voluntary licensing via the Medicines Patent Pool is saving hundreds of thousands of lives

Voluntary licensing via the Medicines Patent Pool, which allows generic drug companies to manufacture a drug before its patent has expired, can offer huge positive economic and health impacts, according to a modelling study in the February issue of The Lancet Public Health. It predicted that the voluntary licensing of dolutegravir in 2014 will have increased treatment uptake by 15.5 million patient-years, averted over 150,000 deaths, and saved health authorities $3.1 billion by 2032.

The social and economic benefits of universal HIV testing and treatment in rural Kenya and Uganda

People living with HIV in communities with universal access to HIV testing and treatment were 10% more likely to be employed than those receiving care according to national guidelines, a randomised study has shown. They were also 10% less likely to seek health care, 13% less likely to spend money on health care and their children were 7% more likely to complete primary school.

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Editors' picks from other sources

ViiV Healthcare statement on voluntary licence in enabling access to cabotegravir LA for PrEP in low- and middle-income countries | ViiV Healthcare

ViiV Healthcare will be the sole supplier of cabotegravir LA (long-acting) for PrEP globally, including in resource-limited settings at least during the initial years of introduction of the medicine.

MSF response: ViiV will not license new game-changing long-acting HIV prevention drug to generic manufacturers | Médecins Sans Frontières

Amanda Banda, Infectious Diseases Policy and Advocacy Advisor, MSF Access Campaign: “What good is HIV prevention if the people who need it can’t afford it? This is the most effective form of HIV prevention for vulnerable and marginalised communities and yet ViiV is delaying the ability of generic manufacturers to supply the drug."

Obituary: David Stuart | The Lancet

David Stuart was an HIV activist and researcher who led global efforts to reduce the harms of chemsex. He was born on 28 January 1967 in Adelaide, SA, Australia, and died on 10 January 2022 in London, UK, aged 54 years.

Many Americans still paying high costs months after insurers were ordered to cover HIV preventive care | CNN

After his insurance company billed him hundreds of dollars for his PrEP lab test and a related doctor's visit, Anthony Cantu panicked, fearing an avalanche of bills every few months for years to come.

Paul Farmer, pioneer of global health, dies at 62 | The New York Times

As a medical student, Dr Farmer decided to build a clinic in Haiti. It grew into a vast network serving some of the world’s poorest communities.

Fungal infections cause more AIDS deaths than tuberculosis – here's what we can do about it | The Conversation

AIDS deaths should be falling faster, but treatable fungal disease is keeping the numbers high.

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