Towards an AIDS-Free Generation: Children and AIDS: Sixth Stocktaking Report, 2013

"For the first time in the history of the HIV epidemic, the global community has accumulated the knowledge, experience and tools to achieve an AIDS-free generation."

The Sixth Stocktaking Report (STR) on Children and AIDS, presented in interactive and multimedia formats, focuses on the response to HIV and AIDS among children in low- and middle-income countries. Prepared by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the report brings together the work of eleven co-sponsoring agencies of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Based on 2012 country data, information about gaps and progress made in both the first and second decades of life is provided. Figures show advancements made in eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) in the first decade of life, a slower pace of progress in paediatric AIDS, and the fact that adolescents (10-19 years old) are the only age group in which AIDS-related deaths have increased since 2005.

According to UNICEF: "This report reminds us that an AIDS-free generation is one in which all children are born free of HIV and remain so - from birth, through adolescence, and throughout their lives. And for children living with HIV, they also need access to lifesaving treatment."

The report calls for multi-sectoral efforts that include greater economic and psychosocial support, along with access to services that are age-appropriate. The involvement of a wide range of players is also promoted - among them, the participation of adolescents in shaping the design and roll-out of services. The report cites community compacts and charters as useful mechanisms to engage people at the local level. Regional bodies can share information, strategies, and action plans, and foster solidarity. For example, the Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for AIDS, Malaria, and TB (tuberculosis) in Africa offers the strategic pillars of health governance, diversified financing, and access to medicines necessary to move such integration forward.

In brief, the report:

• Reviews the HIV burden among children and adolescents and the progress being made
• Identifies key strategies to accelerate access to HIV prevention, treatment, protection, care, and support for children and adolescents
• Summarises opportunities arising from recent scientific advances, new technology, and emerging practice innovations
• Seeks to mobilise national and international efforts to keep children HIV-free and ensure that children living with HIV remain AIDS-free.

The report estimates that increased investment in high-impact interventions can prevent 2 million new infections among adolescents by 2020. While interventions, such as increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for pregnant women as well as for children and increasing breastfeeding, can have a positive effect on new infections among infants, the report calls for more attention to prevention and treatment in the second decade of their life.

Treating and caring for children living with HIV as they enter adolescence requires adjustments to address the new challenges they face in adhering to medications, taking greater responsibility for their own health, and accessing the services and information they need to lead healthy and productive lives. Worldwide, disproportionately high HIV prevalence is reported among key adolescent populations - males who have sex with males, adolescents who inject drugs, and sexually exploited adolescents, according to the report.

The report concludes that sustaining gains while addressing inequalities and gaps is essential and that efforts spent eliminating HIV will positively impact child rights, survival, and development, at a time when the international community begins to coalesce its planning around a new development agenda beyond 2015.

Formats for this information, available through the link below, include:

• Basic report in English, Español, Français, Portuguese
• Interactive report in English, Español, Français, Portuguese
• Executive summary in English, Español, Français,  Portuguese
• Infographic (PDF)
• Graphs (Excel, Images-zip)
• Presentation (PowerPoint)
• Statistical tables (Excel, PDF)