Localizing coverage from the International AIDS Conference

The progress that’s been made in HIV prevention and treatment over the past four decades is nothing short of remarkable, but there’s still a long way to go. The U.S. in particular has fallen behind on several HIV metrics. That makes HIV/AIDS an important topic for U.S. health reporters to cover, even though it can be easily overlooked in the midst of stories about COVID, measles outbreaks, flu and other infectious diseases. 

The International AIDS 2024 Conference, occurring this week, is an opportunity to learn about the latest advances in HIV/AIDS science and to find ways to localize this information to your audience. Though the meeting is in Munich, Germany, it’s also available virtually, and media can register for access after creating an account. Check out the conference program, the press conference program and contact the media reps to get access to the virtual press conferences. 

Not sure how to translate medical research and policy related to HIV/AIDS into stories for your audience? In addition to AHCJ’s medical studies resources, the conference program includes a session specifically for journalists: “Putting people first: How to translate science and policy to the world.” On Thursday, July 25 at 10:30 a.m. ET, join reporters Armen Aghajanov (VirusOff), Ashleigh Furlong (Bloomberg), Kat Lay (The Guardian), Mia Malan (Bhekisisa), Apoorva Mandavilli (NYT), Peter-Philipp Schmitt (FAZ), Michael David Tan (Outrage Magazine) for a virtual session on covering the science.

Even if you don’t have plans for an HIV/AIDS story right now, the AIDS 2024 featured speakers page is available without press registration, and is a great resource for finding sources for future stories. Importantly, it’s not just researchers, physicians and organization heads on that list — many are activists, patients and influencers whose voices would be valuable in stories as well. 

Why you need to cover HIV/AIDS

HIV is unique in that it’s both an infectious disease and a chronic one, thanks to the progress made in viral suppression. But that’s only if people with HIV have access to those treatments.

One of the sessions at HJ24 last month spotlighted the PBS NOVA documentary “Ending HIV in America” along with a panel discussion featuring director, screenwriter and editor Shayon Maitra, physician-researcher Barry Zingman, M.D. and Bruce Richman, founding executive director of the Prevention Access campaign. One of the more shocking facts from that talk was that the U.S. is doing far worse than many low- and middle-income countries when it comes to viral suppression rates, explained Richman, founder of Prevention Access Campaign.

The CDC’s May 2024 report shows that about 65% of people living with HIV had achieved viral suppression in 2022. That’s lower than other high-income countries — which is perhaps unsurprising since they have universal health care systems along with their strong economies. But it’s also considerably lower than the 77% of people across the globe — from any country — who accessed antiretroviral therapy in 2023. 

Though the U.S. rate is higher than the 45% viral suppression rate in the Middle East and North Africa, it’s equivalent to the 65% rate in Asia and the Pacific and far below the 78% rate in Eastern and Southern Africa. 

Questions to consider for a story: 

• Do you know the viral suppression rate in your city, state or county? Are those numbers tracked locally? 
• What are the specific barriers to viral suppression and prevention access, such as PrEP, in your area? 
• What organizations are working to improve access to viral suppression and prevention? 
• What populations are most in need of HIV viral suppression and prevention medications and tools? What disparities exist in access in your area? 

Specific highlights from the conference

This press release describes some of the conference’s scientific highlights. To help you brainstorm ways to localize these stories, consider the three examples (from the release) below, along with some questions to ask.

• The world’s seventh person — the “next Berlin patient” — appears to be cured of HIV, in this case following a stem cell transplant. A Q&A with a local researcher or physician could help localize this story to your audience. Are there any trials like this in your area? What are the risks and barriers to attempting this procedure? Could it potentially work for any HIV patients or only certain subgroups? How much would it cost? Is it scalable? 
• Doxycycline pre-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPrEP) — taking doxycycline prior to sex — reduced new syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. What are the rates of these sexually transmitted infections in your coverage area? What populations are most affected? Could this strategy be effective in reducing infections in your area? How much? How much would it cost? What are the potential barriers?
• Long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) — a PrEP injection only needed every eight weeks to prevent HIV infection — appears feasible and popular in Africa, where there are concerns that logistics and infrastructure may prevent its success. Though the FDA approved CAB-LA in 2021, how accessible is it in the U.S.? How much does it cost? What aid is available to pay for it for those without insurance? What populations are most in need of it? What are the barriers to broader use?