Download spread of the HIV infection

Issue:
Forum:
Position:
Name:
Taking action upon the rapid
spread of the HIV infection
General Assembly 3rd Committee
Chair and Deputy Chair
Rana Kuseyri and Polen Tığlı
Introduction
HIV/AIDS was first discovered in 1981 in the United States of America and was initially
thought to be a form of pneumonia. 35 years later, 35 million people in total have died from
AIDS-related illnesses. Today, 36.7 million people worldwide are still living with HIV, and 2.1
million of them were infected in 2015 alone. Despite AIDS-related deaths falling by 45%
since 2005, measures must be taken in order to stop infection entirely and create improved
treatments for those that still live with HIV/AIDS.
HIV-prevention must be tackled on several levels in order to appropriately address the issue.
This not only includes medical treatment for, for example, pregnant women who may be
infected and want to protect their unborn child. It also includes education on the infection
and AIDS, which is the advanced state of the HIV infection - as well as education on the
stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, people must have access to preventative
measures such as condoms, male circumcision, etc. Sex workers and individuals with drug
addictions must also be addressed, as HIV infections may spread to them through unwitting
sexual contact with someone with the HIV virus or needle-sharing with someone with the
HIV virus. Lastly, international, regional, and local efforts to address these issues and also
discover an effective HIV vaccine are necessary.
Definition of Key Terms
HIV
HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks the
human immune system. HIV infection eventually leads to difficulty fighting other
infections and diseases. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1, the most common type,
and HIV-2, found in Western Africa but occasionally in India and Europe. HIV is
transmitted through the bodily fluids of an infected person: semen, blood,
vaginal/anal fluids, and breast milk.
AIDS
AIDS, which stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, develops when the
HIV infection advances, making the immune system too weak to fight off infections.
This is the last stage of HIV infection and may lead to death if left untreated.
ARV
ARV stands for antiretroviral drugs, which are used to suppress and prevent the
spread of the HIV infection. (see definition for ART)
ART
ART, or antiretroviral therapy, uses ARV drugs to suppress and prevent the spread
of the HIV infection. ART is currently recommended for all HIV-infected individuals in
the United States to reduce the risk of the infection spreading.
HAART
HAART, or highly active antiretroviral therapy, is the use of multiple drugs acting on
different viral targets in order to suppress the effects of the HIV infection on an
individual’s immune system, preventing both opportunistic infections and death.
Pandemic
The outbreak of a disease which has spread worldwide, i.e. the AIDS pandemic.
Intravenous Drug Use
This involves injecting drugs into the bloodstream via a hypodermic needle and
syringe. If needles are shared and one individual is infected with HIV, there is a risk
of the HIV infection spreading.
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
A disease that is passed on through sexual contact. STIs may increase the risk of
HIV being transmitted.
Haarlem Model United Nations 2017
Research Report
General Overview
Figure 1: The three levels of intervention required to adequately prevent HIV infection.
Since its discovery, HIV/AIDS has infected more than 70 million people and has left a death
toll of 35 million. In 2015, 36.7 million people were estimated to be living with HIV. AIDS is
one of the diseases that has had a severe global impact. Because of its nature, AIDS can
spread easily through body fluids and cause severe harm as it destroys the immune system.
Today, it has spread to every continent, but mainly in Africa. After the initial shock of the
newly found disease, there have been international conferences held with representatives
from across the globe: these were the first steps taken to combat HIV/AIDS. The process
was slow and scientists still had uncertainties about how exactly it spread and its stages, not
to mention people the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and the lack of information on its
prevention. During this time of uncertainty AIDS claimed many lives and infected many
people. In 1986, the first drug that hoped to prevent the spread of HIV and cure it was tested
clinically. Throughout the past few decades, many drugs and home remedies were used in
trial and error methods in order to find a cure to HIV/AIDS. Eventually, with many campaigns
and programs to raise awareness - such as World AIDS Day - as well as breakthroughs in
medicine, people have finally gained access to adequate knowledge on the disease and new
medicines such as first forms of ART and HAART have been developed. These are still in
use today. The use of vaccines, ART and HAART showed great results in combatting HIV
Haarlem Model United Nations 2017
Research Report
but unfortunately it came with an unfortunate cost. After popular usage of ART and HAART,
new side effects such as random bleeding or disorder in body organs were discovered.
Today, numerous NGOs, governments, and local groups have maintained their efforts to
combat HIV/AIDS. With rapid breakthroughs in science and a determination to overcome the
disease, the process has accelerated impressively in the last decade. Now the main goal is
sustaining this rapid development while simultaneously developing new methods to combat
against HIV/AIDS.
Figure 2: Methods to address HIV prevention.
Major Parties Involved
Organization of African Unity and the African Union
Haarlem Model United Nations 2017
Research Report
After the establishment of Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, the organization has
come a long way in changing and developing Africa. In 2002, African Union was created as
a body which would adopt the mainframe of OAU, work to accelerate the process of
integration in Africa and address social, economic, political issues in African states in order
to empower African states. OAU and AU have been key factors in the development of Africa
and have taken major action on issues that threaten the stability of Africa, including health.
WHO (World Health Organization)
The WHO was founded on 7 April 1948 during the formation of the UN. The diplomats in
charge of setting up the UN unanimously agreed that setting up a global health organization
was a must. Today, the WHO has offices in more than 150 countries where they actively
collect data, publish many meritful reports and guidelines, and actively take action wherever
necessary. They have been one of the most active groups in world scene in the area of
health since their establishment.
UNAIDS
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) formed in 1995 with cosponsorship of UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN WOMEN, ILO,
UNESCO, WHO and World Bank. The role of UNAIDS is to combine the support of the
organizations above and create a clear and efficient dialogue among them, engaging key
organizations, local authorities, and civil societies in order to give the best response to
HIV/AIDS.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Established in 2002, this is an international organization that focuses on collecting and
distributing resources in order to combat AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. It is funded by
private donors and public pledges. The organization has distributed 30 billion as of July
2016. They are the world’s largest anti-AIDS financer and the organization monitors how the
resources are used. The Global Fund is a fundamental organization in combat against
HIV/AIDS.
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
About a decade after the discovery of AIDS, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative was
founded in 1994. Their goal in their formation was to ensure capable vaccine developing
Haarlem Model United Nations 2017
Research Report
institutions were funded properly. Their second goal was to ensure developing countries got
better support in terms of vaccination. The organization is still in operation and now aiming
to harness global networks of clinical research to improve promising vaccines.
The United States of America
USA is definitely a major party in the combat against HIV/AIDS. The government institutes of
the US first discovered HIV/AIDS and they have worked to find treatment ever since. They
have begun worldwide awareness campaigns and still host the headquarters of many
important NGOs that combat HIV.
Timeline of Key Events
Date
1981
Event
The first cases of AIDS are found in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), making the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is identified as having four risk
factors by the CDC, including male homosexuality.
1982
The first AIDS cases are reported in Africa.
AIDS becomes increasingly linked to homosexuality in the media, suggesting a
mistaken inherent link.
Female sexual partners of men with AIDS are identified as a fifth risk group.
1983
The U.S. Orphan Drug Act is passed in order to provide incentives to drug
companies to find a cure for HIV/AIDS.
The WHO holds a meeting to discuss the global impact of HIV/AIDS.
1984
Intravenous drug use and needle-sharing are identified by the U.S. CDC as
possible methods of spreading HIV/AIDS.
At least one HIV/AIDS case is reported in each region of the world.
1985
The first International AIDS Conference is held in Atlanta, hosted by the U.S.
Health and Human Services and the WHO.
1986
AZT (the first drug to treat HIV/AIDS begins clinical trials.
Haarlem Model United Nations 2017
Research Report
The second International AIDS Conference is held in Paris.
AIDS becomes the first disease debated at the UNGA, and the WHO is assigned
1987
to lead global efforts to address AIDS.
The Global Programme on AIDS is launched by the WHO.
1988
1994
World AIDS Day is declared by the WHO to be on December 1st annually.
The tenth International AIDS Conference, with the theme of “The Global Challenge
of AIDS: Together for the Future” is held in Yokohama, Japan.
The eleventh International AIDS Conference is held in Vancouver, Canada, and
highlights the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
1996
UNAIDS begins its operations.
IAVI (International AIDS Vaccine Initiative) forms.
First human trials for an HIV vaccine begin.
1998
HAART begins to show side effects.
The UNSC declares HIV/AIDS a security threat.
G8 leaders recognize a need for additional resources to address HIV/AIDS.
2000
UNAIDS, WHO, and other groups negotiate reduced prices for treatments with
major pharmaceutical companies.
The UN sets include combatting HIV/AIDS in its Millennium Development Goals.
UNGA holds a special session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS.
2001
Generic pharmaceutical manufacturers offer to produce cheaper HIV/AIDS drugs.
2002
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria begins its operations.
2003
WHO announces its initiative to treat 3 million people by 2005.
G8 nations call for the creation of Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, encouraging
efforts to find an effective HIV vaccine.
2004
The fifteenth International AIDS Conference is held in Bangkok, Thailand - the first
time in an LEDC.
2005
WHO, UNAIDS, U.S. government, and Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis,
Haarlem Model United Nations 2017
Research Report
and Malaria announce that 700,000 HIV-affected people were treated in 2004.
2007
WHO and UNAIDS recommend “male circumcision should always be considered
as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package.”
2010
The UN convenes to accelerate progress towards its MDGs.
2011
UNGA adopts Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS.
UNAIDS reports that AIDS-related deaths have decreased by 30% since 2005.
2013
WHO released new guidelines on HIV prevention.
2014
The twentieth International AIDS Conference is held in Melbourne Australia.
MDG of halting and reversing HIV/AIDS are met.
2015
New SDGs are set, including to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
2016
The UNGA High-level meeting on Ending AIDS is held in New York and a new
Political Declaration is adopted.
Previous Attempts to Resolve the Issue
HIV Prevention Programmes
After the rapid spread of AIDS, many governments across the globe, such as the US
government, have started campaigns and programs in order to raise awareness, educate
people and slow down the spread of AIDS. Although these have shown efficient results in
some countries, some of them - especially African countries - were not able to reach same
results. Reports have shown that this was mainly due to lack of resources, communication
and levels of education. Due to unaddressed issues, prevention programs have failed to
reach a broader range which made this solution inefficient.
Experimenting with new drugs
Alarmed by the severity of AIDS, both governmental and non-governmental bodies currently
strive to find a cure for HIV/AIDS and treat those living with the disease. CDC, one of the
main organizations who work on the cure, has launched an initiative in 2003 that uses
multiple mechanisms to address a number of issues associated with HIV risk reduction and
prevention. The drug focuses on people who work or live in places where they are more
Haarlem Model United Nations 2017
Research Report
likely to get infected. This was a major step as they looked to the issue from another angle
and developed something new that would push the research into new positions. Although
the drug did not cure the disease, it gave scientists new ground to build on.
Possible Solutions
The first step in preventing the spread of HIV is awareness of carrying HIV - or simply,
general education about the virus in order to prevent virus contraction in the first place.
Some individuals may not be aware they have contracted HIV and may engage in sexual
contact with others, which may lead to the spread of HIV. Mothers unaware of carrying HIV
may pass it on to their (biological) children. Sex workers may contract HIV from their clients
and/or pass the virus on themselves, and intravenous drug users may contract the virus by
sharing needles. Through spreading knowledge of how HIV is passed on and encouraging
people to get tested (perhaps through free STI or HIV exams), this could be addressed.
Furthermore, the negative stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS should be addressed in educational
campaigns.
Knowledge on how to prevent HIV is also essential. This might include education about
barrier method contraceptives and offering free condoms and other barrier method
contraceptives. Knowledge and provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis, medical male
circumcision, and harm reduction are other preventative measures that can be taken. People
should have knowledge on and access to these preventative measures.
Treatment is also necessary to slow and eliminate the spread of HIV. Those who have
contracted the virus should have immediate access to antiretroviral therapy.
Lastly, an HIV vaccine would be the optimal solution to stopping to spread of HIV. To work
towards this, investments can be made in HIV prevention and vaccine development.
Bibliography
"Global HIV/AIDS Timeline." Kaiser Family Foundation - Health Policy Research, Analysis,
Polling, Facts, Data and Journalism. Kaiser Family Foundation, 29 Nov. 2016. Web. 28 Dec.
2016. <http://kff.org/global-health-policy/timeline/global-hivaids-timelin>.
Haarlem Model United Nations 2017
Research Report
"United Nations Millennium Development Goals." United Nations. United Nations, n.d. Web.
28 Dec. 2016. <http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/aids.shtml>.
"UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board." UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board |
UNAIDS. United Nations, n.d. Web. 28 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.unaids.org/en/aboutunaids/unaids-programme-coordinating-board>.
"Programme Branch." Programme Branch | UNAIDS. United Nations, n.d. Web. 28 Dec.
2016. <http://www.unaids.org/en/ourwork/programmebranch>.
"HIV/AIDS." World Health Organization. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 28 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.who.int/hiv/en/>.
"Who We Are, What We Do." World Health Organization. World Health Organization, n.d.
Web. 28 Dec. 2016. <http://www.who.int/about/en/>.
"Efforts to Prevent HIV Infection That Target People Living with HIV/AIDS: What
Works?"Efforts to Prevent HIV Infection That Target People Living with HIV/AIDS: What
Works?Oxford Journals, n.d. Web. 28 Dec. 2016.
<https://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/45/Supplement_4/S308.full#sec-4>.
"Stopping the Spread of HIV." Stopping the Spread of HIV | Aidsinfonet.org | The AIDS
InfoNet. IAAC, 30 Aug. 2014. Web. 28 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/150>
"Treatment and Care." World Health Organization. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 28
Dec. 2016. <http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/treatment/en/>.
"What Are HIV and AIDS?" AVERT. AVERT, 9 Feb. 2016. Web. 28 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.avert.org/about-hiv-aids/what-hiv-aids>.
"HIV Prevention Programmes Overview." AVERT. AVERT, 16 Dec. 2016. Web. 28 Dec.
2016. <http://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-programming/prevention/overview>.
"Fact Sheet November 2016." UNAIDS. United Nations, Nov. 2016. Web. 28 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet>
United Nations. UNAIDS. Geneva. FAST-TRACK COMMITMENTS TO END AIDS BY 2030.
Geneva: UNAIDS, n.d. Print.
"Home." The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Dec.
2016. <http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/>.
Haarlem Model United Nations 2017
Research Report
"Our History." Our History - IAVI - International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. N.p., n.d. Web. 28
Dec. 2016. <http://www.iavi.org/about-us/about-us/our-history>.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 06
Dec. 2016. Web. 28 Dec. 2016. <https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/>.
"HIV in the United States: At A Glance." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 02 Dec. 2016. Web. 28 Dec. 2016.
<https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/overview/ataglance.html>.
Haarlem Model United Nations 2017
Research Report