The 15th International AIDS Conference in Bangkok held from 11-16 Jul 2004, organised by the International AIDS Society once again brought together a wide range of actors involved in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic.* The 15th International AIDS Conference Education, networking and the promotion of best practice are essential to enhancing the response to HIV/AIDS. IAS conferences provide opportunities to share experience, and increase the knowledge and expertise of professionals working in HIV/AIDS. in Bangkok held from 11-16 Jul 2004, organised by the International AIDS Society The International AIDS Society (IAS) is an international society for scientists, health care and public health workers, and others engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention, control and care. once again brought together a wide range of actors involved in fighting the HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome epidemic. Researchers, scientists, donors, government leaders, public health officials, doctors, religious-based organisations, came together with people representing the vulnerable and affected communities such as sex workers, intravenous drug users, transsexuals, homosexuals, men who have sex with men Men who have sex with men (MSM) is a term used mostly in the United States to classify men who engage in sex with other men, regardless of whether they self-identify as gay, bisexual, or heterosexual. , and people living with HIV/AIDS. Meeting again two years after Barcelona, they came together under the banner of Access for All, this year's theme. Picking up from where Barcelona left off, this year's conference ran along five tracks-basic science, clinical research and treatment, epidemiology and prevention, social and economic issues, and policy and programme implementation. Special emphasis was given to leadership, and communities most vulnerable to the disease. At Barcelona, HIV/AIDS was accepted as an infectious disease Infectious diseaseA pathological condition spread among biological species. Infectious diseases, although varied in their effects, are always associated with viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites and aberrant proteins known as prions. crisis, in Bangkok, calls were made for HIV/AIDS to be seen as a human rights and development issue and for more countries to honour their commitments to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Governments were also exhorted to increase their efficiency and effectiveness in disbursing these funds. The need to use different strategies, and to put reality before ideology was widely and loudly acknowledged, as was the fact that abstinence alone just will not do. The link between HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health was prominently tabled. Additionally, people living with HIV/AIDS, especially women who face many concerns--safe sex, contraception, abortion, STIs/RTIs, pregnancy, and delivery were also highlighted. A worrying sign however was that in most cases, reference to sexual and reproductive health was restricted to family planning family planning Use of measures designed to regulate the number and spacing of children within a family, largely to curb population growth and ensure each family’s access to limited resources. , voluntary counselling and testing, and prevention of parent-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Contact: International AIDS Society Society, Ch. de l'Avanchet 33, CH-1216 Cointrin, Geneva Geneva, canton and city, Switzerland Geneva (jənē`və), Fr. Genève, canton (1990 pop. 373,019), 109 sq mi (282 sq km), SW Switzerland, surrounding the southwest tip of the Lake of Geneva. , Switzerland. Tel: +41 0227 100 800 Fax: +41 227 100 899 Email: secretariat@ias.se Website: www.ias.se |
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