title: Setting the stage: current state of affairs and major challenges.
abstract: The global human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic reached staggering proportions over the past 2 decades, particularly in areas of sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries. Tremendous increases in donor resources over the past decade have allowed for a rapid scale-up of antiretroviral treatment and greater access to basic care and prevention programs in countries worst affected by HIV infection and AIDS. These programs have had a tremendous impact on the lives of millions of individuals and have also created optimism and hope where previously there was despair. Major challenges remain in combating the current HIV pandemic with regard to access to treatment; efficiency, quality, and sustainability of current programs; and the scale-up of evidence-based, effective prevention strategies. The global health community and political leaders will need to overcome these challenges if a long-term effective response to the HIV pandemic is to be achieved.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunoregulation, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. sjr@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Quinn
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D003906:Developing Countries; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
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