HIV infection in Eastern and Southern Africa: Highest burden, largest challenges, greatest potential

The burden of HIV is especially concerning for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), as despite expansion of test-and-treat programmes, this region continues to experience significant challenges resulting from high rates of morbidity, mortality and new infections. Hard-won lessons from programmes on the ground in ESA should be shared.

This report summarises relevant evidence and regional experts' recommendations regarding challenges specific to ESA.

This commentary includes an in-depth review of relevant literature, progress against global goals and consensus opinion from experts.

Recommendations include priorities for essential research (surveillance data collection, key and vulnerable population education and testing, in-country testing trials and evidence-based support services to improve retention in care) as well as research that can accelerate progress towards the prevention of new infections and achieving ambitious global goals in ESA.

The elimination of HIV in ESA will require continued investment, commitment to evidence-based programmes and persistence. Local research is critical to ensuring that responses in ESA are targeted, efficient and evaluated.