HIV/AIDS epidemic: situation in Europe in 2008

With around 350,000 persons diagnosed with AIDS in the European Region - of which more than 7,500 in 2008 alone - and around 52,000 diagnosed as infected with HIV in 2008, HIV/AIDS remains a major health concern.

Within the EU, HIV/AIDS rates vary a lot depending on the area and the cause of its transmission. However, the following picture can be drawn:
 the number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection reported for 2008 has increased, with 13% of them touching young people aged 15-24, and 35% women;
 per million population, this rate has more than doubled between 2000 and 2008, from 44 cases per million in 2000 to 89 per million in 2008;
 within the European Region, the highest rates were reported in Estonia, Latvia, Portugal and the United Kingdom;
 the number of diagnosed AIDS cases has continued to decline in the WHO European Region, however with significant national disparities; and
 the predominant mode of transmission for HIV infection in the European Region is sex between men, with regional differences.

After highlighting the trends of the disease which illustrate the current situation of HIV/AIDS by country, the WHO Report makes a number of recommendations. Considering the diversity of cases and causes of HIV/AIDS within the European Region, interventions to control the epidemic should be adapted to the country and geographical area:

 for countries in the East, where the practice of injecting drugs represents the biggest cause of disease transmission, targeted interventions should be prioritised;
 in the Centre, the national situation can be very different even between neighbouring countries. Sexual activity between men remains however one of the most widespread transmission modes of the disease;
 in countries in the West, sexual activity between men is the main cause of transmission. Prevention and treatment interventions have to target men who have sex with men as a priority group.

Worldwide, more than 2 million people die every year from AIDS with very different national situations. As the main donor, the EU is very active in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and supports governments’ will to act against this burden. However, there is still room for improvement.

For further information:
 The HIV/AIDS Surveillance in Europe 2008

EPHA related articles:
 Commission strategy for combating HIV/AIDS in the EU and neighbouring countries 2009-2013
 Spotlight on European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG)
 ECDC: Newly reported cases of HIV continue to rise
 World AIDS Vaccine Day