AIDS 2024: HIV is Inherently Political

Joseph J. Amon

Unlike many scientific conferences, the AIDS conferences have a long history of community activism and engagement. At this year’s conference, I have seen protests against pharma, marches in support of sex worker rights, a declaration that “there is no problem communities cannot solve”, the (brief) disruption of a plenary session to highlight the targeting of civilians and aid workers in Gaza, and more. These, and formal sessions that mix the voices of scientists, policymakers, and those living with HIV and working in the communities most affected continuously reinforce the message that HIV, and public health generally, even at its most scientific, is also inherently political.

The agenda for the last day of AIDS 2024 illustrates that clearly with one session examining how people living with HIV can be supported to stay in treatment, including interventions to increase social support for older people in Uganda and examining how long-acting injectable ART can support adherence among adolescents in South Africa. The message coming from many of these sessions is that technology and pharmaceuticals, while being essential to ending AIDS, can not be implemented without attention to the social and political factors that determine ultimate success. Two related symposia taking place on the final day include “Politics: How to make robust HIV policies happen” and “Taking action on long-acting PrEP: Towards access and implementation”.

Of course, what often lurks in the background of discussions around HIV, politics, communities, and science is money – who will be supported, what gets funded, and can we ever address the inequities that plague access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries?

Also in the background is keen awareness of the importance of the forthcoming US election, the need for a robust replenishment for the Global Fund next year, and competition for limited resources with other pressing global problems, including climate change, emerging pandemics, universal health coverage, and more. Much of the focus on human rights is on the accountability of governments to uphold their obligations to respect, protect, and fulfil the right to health. But the AIDS conference highlights different needs – for global solidarity, the right to benefit from scientific progress, and – nothing about us, without us – the right to participate in political and public life. Despite the cost of attendance and difficulties for some getting visas, every day has illustrated the importance of the wide, global participation at the conference.

Joseph J. Amon, PhD, MSPH, is editor-in-chief of Health and Human Rights, and director of the Office of Global Health and a clinical professor at Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, United States.