HIV Outcomes hosted a roundtable event in Madrid on HIV stigma and discrimination within the wider SEISIDA scientific meeting, “Hacer VIHsible lo invisible.” The roundtable aimed at sharing evidence-based policy recommendations and in-country best practices.
Participants exchanged good practices with Spanish authorities, helping to inform the Spanish EU Presidency’s political declaration on the topic.
Key takeaways
Stigma and discrimination are a major barrier to people seeking the services they need. This is affecting outcomes for individuals and undermining public health.
Key messages around U=U have not yet reached the public, and some healthcare workers also require education and training.
Innovation can facilitate the development of new delivery models for HIV services, which can improve access to care and reduce stigma and discrimination.
Good practices, ranging from initiatives by civil society and other stakeholders to legal and policy measures by governments, can help to address stigma and discrimination. HIV Outcomes has collated and shared these positive examples.
Political momentum is behind the broad coalition of stakeholders committed to tackling stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. There is cross-party support from MEPs and strong commitment from the incoming Spanish EU Presidency.
The Spanish authorities rely on the support of the other EU Presidencies (Belgium and Hungary) for the development of the EU declaration on HIV and stigma. Informal discussions with other EU Member States took place as well, in an effort to build support for the declaration ahead of the Spanish EU Presidency.
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Dr. Julia del Amo, Director of the National Plan on AIDS in the Spanish Ministry of Health
Dr. Esteban Martínez, President of European AIDS Clinical Society
Prof. Jane Anderson, HIV Outcomes Co-Chair & Consultant Physician at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Sini Pasanen, HIV Outcomes Steering Group Member, Steering Committee Member of AIDS Action Europe & Executive Director of Positiiviset ry
Stéphan Vernhes, HIV Outcomes Steering Group Member & Coordinator European Platform AIDES
Prof. Jeffrey V. Lazarus, HIV Outcomes Co-Chair & Head of Health Systems Research Group at ISGlobal (moderator)
Prof. María José Fuster, HIV Outcomes Spain Member & Manager and Scientific Coordinator of the Spanish AIDS Society - SEISIDA (moderator)
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16:00-16:10 | Welcome remarks
Video address from cross-party Members of the European Parliament
16:10-16:20 | Stigma in healthcare settings and ageing with HIV
16:20-16:50 | Changing perspective on HIV, anti-stigma ‘charter mark’
16:50-17:10 | Combatting discriminatory practices in Europe and addressing mental health
17:10-17:25 | European perspective of HIV structural discrimination
17:25-17:40 | Spanish agenda to combat HIV-related stigma and discrimination
17:40-17:45 | Closing remarks: conclusions and recommendations
