News

Our Review in The Lancet HIV examines the rapidly changing molecular landscape of HIV-1 across the WHO European Region, including the expansion of subtype A6, the growing contribution of non-B subtypes, and the increasing frequency of circulating and unique recombinant forms which are reshaping the epidemic.

These changes are not only epidemiological. Subtype-specific genetic backgrounds may influence virulence, resistance pathways, interpretation of genotypic testing, and the durability of long-acting cabotegravir–rilpivirine treatment. Viral diversity may also affect susceptibility to fostemsavir, broadly neutralising antibodies, pre-exposure prophylaxis, reservoir dynamics, and future cure strategies.

The paper also highlights how migration, conflict, and refugee movements are reshaping HIV molecular diversity in Europe, making genomic surveillance increasingly relevant for clinical care and public health.

The review highlights why molecular surveillance, subtype-aware clinical interpretation, and inclusive drug-development studies are essential for equitable HIV prevention and treatment across Europe.

Congratulations to my co-authors Karol Sherwin, Dimitri’s Paraskevis, Thomas Klimkait, Charlotte Charpentier, Annemarie Wensing for this important contribution.

Published in The Lancet HIV - Reference: LANHIV1995 (Free access until 30 July 2026)

Applications are now open for the European Diploma in HIV Medicine examination!

The examination is designed for practising medical professionals working in HIV care and aims to support the harmonisation of clinical practice across Europe, while addressing the need for a recognised specialisation in HIV medicine within postgraduate training. By acknowledging differences in practice between countries, the Diploma helps define minimum standards for education and training and ensures practitioners have the core knowledge, skills and competencies required for effective HIV care.

Key dates for the 2026 examination

• Examination date: 25 September 2026
• Application deadline: 12 August 2026

The examination uses Single Best Answer questions to assess competence in HIV management and offers clinicians the opportunity to demonstrate clinical proficiency through certification, benchmark their knowledge against European standards, support continued professional development and strengthen professional mobility within HIV care.

Aligned with a shared European curriculum and the latest developments in HIV medicine, the Diploma supports continued learning, professional growth and improved patient outcomes.

Learn more and apply!

The research article entitled ‘Models of care for women living with HIV in Europe: A scoping review’ is now published in HIV Medicine.

Overall, the findings emphasise the need for integrated, life-course approaches that go beyond virological outcomes and better address social and structural determinants, while expanding women-centred services, particularly in Eastern Europe.

Read the article

On 28 and 29 May 2026 (16:00- 17:45 CEST) the 14th WAVE in Ukraine online workshop will take place.

The series started with an onsite meeting in 2019 and has continued online since 2021. This time, the meeting will focus on Mental wellbeing and treatment adherence in women living with HIV and Metabolic disorders in women living with HIV.

The workshop will be available in English and Ukrainian.

Register and find more information here.

On 12 May 2026, EACS brought together policymakers, clinicians, researchers and community leaders at the European Parliament for its EU Roundtable on continuity of HIV care. Hosted by MEP Michalis Hadjipantela and MEP Bartosz Arłukowicz, with contributions from MEP Tomislav Sokol, the discussion focused on how to ensure uninterrupted HIV prevention and care across borders and in situations of mobility or displacement. 

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Presentations highlighted practical and policy solutions, including cross border models of HIV care, community based approaches that improve access and retention, and the role of parliamentary oversight in driving sustained investment. Speakers from institutions such as the ECDC, WHO, academia and civil society contributed diverse perspectives, reinforcing the importance of coordinated action at both national and European levels. 

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Participants agreed that while Europe has the scientific tools to end HIV, gaps in implementation remain. Stronger political coordination, sustained investment, community involvement and accountability are essential to close these gaps and meet the 2030 targets, alongside improved linkage to and retention in care and more equitable access to prevention and treatment.

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MEPs Michalis Hadjipantela and Tomislav Sokol stressed the importance of strong advocacy around the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), emphasising that securing the proposed €10 billion allocation for health must be the first priority. HIV can only remain high on the European political agenda if a robust overall health envelope is first secured. In this context, communities and clinicians were encouraged to play an active advocacy role. Participants underscored that securing long-term resources will be essential to maintain momentum toward the 2030 HIV targets and avoid HIV being deprioritised amid competing policy and funding pressures. 

The European AIDS Clinical Society expresses deep concern about the new legislation approved by Senegal’s parliament in April 2026 that increases prison sentences for consensual same‑sex relations and criminalises the “promotion” of homosexuality.

In light of these developments, EACS reiterates its previous statements on anti-homosexuality laws and their harmful impact on public health. Criminalising LGBTQ+ people creates structural barriers to healthcare access, further marginalises already vulnerable populations, and undermines evidence and rights-based approaches for effective HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.

Senegal has long been recognised for its strong HIV response, with some of the lowest national HIV prevalence rates in West Africa. Further criminalising LGBTQ+ people risks undermining years of progress in Senegal’s HIV response and threatens the country’s ability to meet the UNAIDS goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

EACS urges all countries that criminalise LGBTQ+ people to review and repeal such laws, in line with global public health scientific evidence and human rights standards. 

Criminalisation creates barriers to effective HIV prevention and care and obstructs progress toward global UNAIDS targets. A successful HIV response requires inclusion, safety, and equitable access to preventive sexual healthcare and HIV services for every member of society.

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­*International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, marked annually on 17 May.

Europe has the tools and knowledge to end HIV as a public health threat, yet progress is stalling and, in some areas, reversing. New HIV acquisitions and AIDS related deaths are rising, inequalities persist across and within Member States, and agreed targets remain out of reach. At the same time, community led organisations that are central to prevention, testing, treatment access and human rights are being weakened by shrinking funding and declining policy attention.

EACS – as a member of the Coalition for a European HIV Response alongside the International AIDS Society (IAS) and community organisations from across Europe – support this joint statement as a call for urgent political action.

It sets out why the current trajectory is not inevitable but the result of policy choices, and urges the European Parliament, the European Commission and Member States to renew leadership, secure predictable and sustainable investment, and place community leadership at the heart of Europe’s HIV response, in the EU and globally.

Read the full statement and sign it today!

EACS is looking for a Project Coordinator to join its team in Brussels.

This role combines event coordination, stakeholder engagement, and digital learning, including work on the European AIDS Conference and the EACS eAcademy.

The position is based in Brussels (hybrid, with regular presence in the office) and is offered as a full-time, permanent Belgian contract.

Applicants must be based in Belgium and have the right to work in Belgium.

Learn more about the position and apply!