Sidaction 2025 : An Urgent Call to Strengthen HIV Research
Sidaction 2025 : An Urgent Call to Strengthen HIV Research
A Key Event in the Fight Against AIDS
From March 21 to 23, 2025, Sidaction will take place to raise funds for the fight against HIV. This edition comes at a critical time, as U.S. funding cuts threaten ongoing efforts. Florence Thune, the organization's executive director, has stressed the urgency of ramping up research, warning that these decisions set the fight against HIV back 20 years. She emphasized the need to accelerate scientific advancements to eliminate lifelong treatments for people living with HIV.
Funding: A Crucial Issue for Research and Care
Donations collected during Sidaction—available via phone, SMS, or online—are essential for supporting research, improving healthcare access, and helping those living with HIV. In 2024, nearly €3.87 million in pledged donations were recorded, a stable amount compared to the previous year. However, the organization, chaired by Nobel Prize laureate Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, is concerned about the consequences of U.S. budget cuts, which could lead to a resurgence of the epidemic.
The Risk of a Resurgent Epidemic
The impact of these budget cuts is alarming to specialists. Infectious disease expert Jean-Michel Molina highlights that 90% of PrEP funding (a preventive HIV treatment) comes from the U.S. A reduction in these funds could lead to a significant increase in new infections in various regions. In March, hundreds of scientists urged Washington to restore its funding, warning that these cuts could result in up to six million deaths within the next four years.
Persistent Misinformation Among Young People
Despite years of awareness campaigns, misconceptions about HIV transmission remain widespread, especially among young people. An Opinionway survey conducted for Sidaction found that 42% of people aged 15-24 mistakenly believe HIV can be transmitted through kissing, a 12-point increase in one year. Similarly, 31% think drinking from the same glass as an HIV-positive person poses a risk, up 6 points. These figures highlight the urgent need for enhanced prevention and education campaigns.
Challenges in Research and Treatment Access
Scientists continue their efforts to achieve sustained HIV remission and reduce comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers. Developing a vaccine remains a top priority, along with expanding access to preventive treatments like PrEP, which remains insufficiently available, particularly for vulnerable populations and women.
A Global Fight Against an Ongoing Pandemic
Currently, nearly 40 million people are living with HIV, and one-quarter have no access to treatment. Each year, more than 600,000 people die from AIDS. In France, around 200,000 people are HIV-positive, with 5,500 new cases reported in 2023. Given these challenges, Sidaction remains a vital force in the fight against the pandemic.
📢 To learn more and support research:
🔗 Official Sidaction 2025 statement
💖 Make a donation
Commentaires
Enregistrer un commentaire