PEPFAR scale-up of pediatric HIV services: innovations, achievements, and challenges.
HIV/AIDS has had a profound impact on children around the world since the start of the epidemic. There are currently 3.4 million children under the age of 15 years living with HIV globally, and more than 450,000 children currently receiving lifesaving antiretroviral treatment. This article describes efforts supported by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to expand access to treatment for children living with HIV in high-burden countries. The article also highlights a series of case studies that illustrate the impact that the PEPFAR initiative has had on the pediatric HIV epidemic. Through its support of host governments and partner organizations, the PEPFAR initiative has expanded HIV testing and treatment for pregnant women to reduce vertical transmission of HIV, increased access to early infant diagnosis for HIV-exposed infants, improved training and resources for clinicians who provide pediatric care and antiretroviral treatment, and, through public-private partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, helped increase the number of medications available for the treatment of HIV-infected children in resource-limited settings.
ICAP, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. eja1@columbia.edu
Elaine J
EJ
Abrams
R J
RJ
Simonds
Surbhi
S
Modi
Emilia
E
Rivadeneira
Paula
P
Vaz
Chipepo
C
Kankasa
Denis
D
Tindyebwa
B Ryan
BR
Phelps
Sara
S
Bowsky
Chloe A
CA
Teasdale
Emilia
E
Koumans
Andrea J
AJ
Ruff
D000293:Adolescent; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D011247:Pregnancy; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents