New Data Show Namibia Approaching Control of Their HIV Epidemic

New Data Show Namibia Approaching Control of Their HIV Epidemic The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDC, and ICAP at Columbia University released new data today from the Namibia Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (NAMPHIA), showing dramatic progress against HIV. Results from NAMPHIA show the country has surpassed global targets for HIV treatment and HIV viral load suppression, and that 77 percent of HIV-positive adults age 15-64 in Namibia were virally suppressed. The data were announced during the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) in Amsterdam. Modeled estimates show that new HIV infections would dramatically decrease if 73 percent of all people living with HIV are virally suppressed by 2020. NAMPHIA also shows that Namibia has reduced its HIV incidence rate by 50 percent over the past five years through the strategic expansion of HIV services and the rapid implementation of forward-leading HIV policies. The NAMPHIA results suggest that Namibia is on track to achieve HIV epidemic control by 2020. These results add to recent findings from Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) surveys in Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe also demonstrating that these countries are approaching control of their epidemics.  While the PHIA results show that global efforts are working, these surveys also reveal key gaps in HIV treatment and prevention efforts for women ages 15-24 and men ages 25-34 that require urgent attention. In all PHIA countries surveyed, these groups were less likely to know their HIV status, be on HIV treatment, or be virally suppressed than older adults. With many of the world’s leading experts, CDC works side-by-side with Ministries of Health, civil and faith-based organizations, and other on-the-ground partners to improve methods for finding, treating, and preventing HIV. CDC’s investments to fight HIV today will save lives and strengthen long-term economic sustainability. AIDS 2018 Highlights Also during AIDS 2018, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, and South Africa all released preliminary results from their HIV population-based surveys. New data from PHIAs conducted in Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire, released earlier this week, highlight substantial gaps in western Africa toward reaching epidemic control despite significant investments, pointing to the depth and breadth of key policy barriers to HIV service uptake that need to be addressed. CDC Resources Learn how CDC, through PEPFAR, is supporting countries to respond to their HIV epidemics and helping implement PHIA surveys. Press release – Outlines key findings from the Namibia study and the global impact of population-based surveys PEPFAR Fact Sheet – Summarizes progress towards controlling the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa Summary Sheets – An overview of HIV population-based surveys from various countries Pathway to HIV and TB Epidemic Control – Highlights the latest data toward CDC’s efforts to control HIV and end TB globally CDC’s Global HIV Overview – A historical look at CDC’s leadership, reach, innovation and impact in the global fight against HIV Global HIV Fact Sheet – Shows the burden of HIV worldwide and CDC’s efforts to address the epidemic To learn more about CDC’s efforts to control HIV and end TB globally, visit www.cdc.gov/globalhivtb.