There are new fact sheets out from the Global Health Council on treatment as prevention and the status of future global health vaccines.
Did you know that HIV transmission can likely be prevented through anti-retroviral therapy? This concept is known as “treatment as prevention.” There is substantial evidence to demonstrate that this is effective but would need to be implemented by a “test-and-treat policy,” which would require widespread, frequent HIV testing and immediate treatment in those who test positive for HIV.
Check out the treatment is prevention fact sheet to find out about some of the benefits and barriers to implementing a test-and-treat model.
And did you know that vaccines in the development pipeline undergo five phases of clinical trials before they’re even submitted for regulatory approval? This process alone can take years and carry a significant cost. Global healh vaccines for HIV/AIDS, hookworm, malaria, schistosomiasis and tuberculosis are all currently in different phases of the pipeline, but there is still more work to be done.
For example, 30 HIV/AIDS vaccine candidates are currently in the pipeline, but even if one proves successful, it may only serve to suppress the virus, not eliminate it completely. Vaccine development can also be hindered by the complexity of certain diseases. For example, schistosomiasis is caused by worms in the intestinal or urogenital tract — meaning a vaccine is needed for both forms.
Take a look at the global health vaccines fact sheets to find out more about these and the other global health vaccines in the pipeline.
The Global Health Council is a Research!America member.
Tags: Global Health Council