The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a new report indicating that HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to present major public health challenges, causing 2.5 million deaths annually.
In 2022, new syphilis cases among adults increased by over 1 million, reaching 8 million cases globally.
In 2022, new syphilis cases among adults increased by over 1 million, reaching 8 million cases globally.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, adult and maternal syphilis cases surged, with 1.1 million cases and 230,000 syphilis-related deaths in 2022.
New HIV infections dropped slightly from 1.5 million in 2020 to 1.3 million in 2022.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a new report indicating that HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to present major public health challenges, causing 2.5 million deaths annually.
HIV, the Human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body's immune system is badly damaged.
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Meanwhile, the WHO 2024 Global Hepatitis Report revealed that India is among the nations with the highest global burden of hepatitis B and C.
KEY FINDINGS OF THE WHO REPORT
STIs are on the rise in many regions. In 2022, new syphilis cases among adults increased by over 1 million, reaching 8 million cases globally. The highest increases were in the Americas and Africa.
"The rising incidence of syphilis raises major concerns," said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Fortunately, there has been important progress on a number of other fronts including in accelerating access to critical health commodities including diagnostics and treatment. In 2022, new syphilis cases among adults increased by over 1 million, reaching 8 million cases globally. (Photo: Getty Images)
Dr Ghebreyesus added, "We have the tools required to end these epidemics as public health threats by 2030, but we now need to ensure that, in the context of an increasingly complex world, countries do all they can to achieve the ambitious targets they set themselves."
The decline in new HIV and viral hepatitis infections has been insufficient, threatening the achievement of related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed major concerns over the rising incidence of syphilis, despite progress in access to health diagnostics and treatments.
Over 1 million curable STI infections occur daily, including syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, adult and maternal syphilis cases surged, with 1.1 million cases and 230,000 syphilis-related deaths in 2022.
Multiresistant gonorrhoea is increasing, with 9 out of 87 countries reporting resistance to ceftriaxone, the last-line treatment.
In 2022, there were 1.2 million new hepatitis B cases and nearly 1 million new hepatitis C cases, with deaths rising to 1.3 million despite effective prevention and treatment tools.
New HIV infections dropped slightly from 1.5 million in 2020 to 1.3 million in 2022.
Five key population groups - men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender individuals, and individuals in prisons and other closed settings - still experience significantly higher HIV prevalence rates than the general population, as per WHO.
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An estimated 55% of new HIV infections occur among these populations and their partners. HIV-related deaths continue to be high. In 2022, there were 6,30,000 HIV-related deaths, 13% of these occurring in children under the age of 15 years.
WHO has validated 19 countries for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis. Botswana and Namibia are on the path to eliminating HIV transmission.
Treatment Coverage: Globally, HIV treatment coverage reached 76%, with 93% achieving suppressed viral loads. Efforts to increase HPV vaccination and hepatitis treatment are ongoing.
Recommendations for Improvement
Develop national sustainability plans and investment strategies.
Align disease-specific plans within a primary health care approach.
Address stigma, discrimination, and criminalisation in health settings, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Expand multi-disease elimination strategies.
Strengthen primary prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts.
Despite ambitious targets set for 2025 and 2030, progress is uneven, and more political commitment is needed to accelerate efforts and achieve global health goals.
Published By: Daphne Clarance Published On: May 24, 2024
