The data that the European Disease Prevention and Control Center has collected and presented in its newly published progression report shows a worrying image. Although progress has been made to reduce new HIV and TB infections, the current rate is insufficient to reach the targets of 2030. Alarming, certain STIs, such as gonorrhea and syphilis, also refuse through Europe, and a lack of crucial data obscures the real scale of the challenges posed by chronic hepatitis B and C.
Despite being avoidable, each year, more than 57,000 people in the EU / EEE die from AIDS, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis – a high number for a continent with effective resources, knowledge and tools for prevention and control.
More than a quarter of a million cases of HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and STIs were reported last year in the EU / EEE, but they are not only statistics. Figures represent human sufferings, risk at risk, affected families and a significant burden on health systems and savings. Despite being avoidable, each year, more than 57,000 people in the EU / EEE die from AIDS, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis – a high number for a continent with effective resources, knowledge and tools for prevention and control.
Key areas for urgent action
The path to follow needs courage and commitment, requiring an increase in efforts in three key areas:
- Prevention: Proven interventions such as the use of condoms, the preparation of HIV, preventive treatment for tuberculosis, needle exchange programs and hepatitis B vaccination must be extended and assured fair access.
- Test and treatment: Early detection and effective treatment are crucial, both for the health of affected individuals and to stop the transmission of these infections. We must decompose the obstacles to access and ensure that everyone receives the care they need.
- Monitoring and surveillance: Robust data collection and monitoring systems are essential to effectively adapt interventions to everyone, including vulnerable populations.
Successful efforts are necessary to reduce the mortality of avoidable diseases and improving the availability and quality of surveillance data is fundamental to monitoring progress with precision.
Front
Return to these challenges requires targeted action. A greater emphasis must be put on the scale of proven prevention measures and the guarantee of equitable access to tests and treatments. Successful efforts are necessary to reduce the mortality of avoidable diseases and improving the availability and quality of surveillance data is fundamental to monitoring progress with precision. Europe needs a strong and united effort at all levels to accelerate progress, ensuring health for everyone today and the years to come.
ODD evidence brief
Politices
