HIV/AIDS

TB/HIV IDU

WHO media briefing

Monday, 4 August: 1:00 p.m.
Press Conference Room 3, Media Centre, Hall A

Reducing deaths from TB/HIV among injecting and other drug users – Meet the experts

It is estimated that one in 10 new HIV infections worldwide is attributable to injecting drug use, and almost one in three new infections outside of Africa. Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading killer of drug users living with HIV. The first-ever policy guidelines to address the risks of HIV and TB co-infection among injecting and other drug users include 13 specific recommendations to expand universal access to HIV and TB prevention, treatment and care services.

Key message: Specially targeted measures needed to reach injecting and other drug users

Participating:

  • Prof Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

  • Dr Charles Gilks, Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Department, WHO

  • Dr Paul Nunn, Coordinator, TB/HIV, Stop TB Department, WHO

  • Mr Christian Kroll, Global Coordinator HIV/AIDS, UN Office on Drugs and Crime

  • Mr Michael Bartos, Team Leader, Prevention, Care and Support Team, UNAIDS

  • Dr Daniel Wolfe, Director, International Harm Reduction Programme, Open Society Institute

Media resources

Policy guidelines for collaborative TB and HIV services for injecting and other drug users: an integrated approach
English [pdf 3Mb]

Policy brief
English [pdf 353kb]
Spanish [pdf 379kb]

Note to the media
English
French
Spanish

Presenter biographies
English
French

Useful links

For more information, please visit the Stop TB Partnership web page related to this event.

XVII International AIDS Conference, 3-8 August 2008, Mexico City International AIDS Society

Press corner

Media advisory of key WHO events

Full programme of WHO events

FAQ

WHO HIV/AIDS Department staff biographies

Media contacts

In Mexico City:

Saira Stewart
Media Officer
Mobile (Geneva):
+41 79 467 2013
Mobile (Mexico):
(044) 55 3791 1985
Email: stewarts@who.int

Patricia Leidl
Head, Advocacy and Communications
Mobile: (044) 553 791 1985
Email: leidlp@who.int

In Geneva:

Valeri Abramov
Communications Officer
Tel: 41 22 791 2543
Email: abramovv@who.int

Special highlights

Towards universal access

Progress Report 2008

Scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector
Progress Report, June 2008