What are the 90 90 90 rules?

The 90-90-90 Initiative: Goals and Challenges

The 90-90-90 initiative is a global health target aimed at significantly improving HIV treatment outcomes. It has three primary goals:

1. 90% of people with HIV to be diagnosed: Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
2. 90% of diagnosed individuals on treatment: Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress the virus and improve health outcomes.
3. 90% of those on treatment to have suppressed viral loads: Supressed viral loads prevent transmission and improve well-being.

Progress and Challenges

Since its launch in 2014, the 90-90-90 initiative has made some progress. As of 2021, approximately 85% of people with HIV worldwide know their status, 88% of diagnosed individuals are on treatment, and 83% of those on treatment have suppressed viral loads.

However, global progress has fallen short of expectations. Several factors have contributed to this, including:

• Stigma and discrimination: Fear of stigma and discrimination prevents many people from getting tested or seeking treatment.
• Lack of access to healthcare: In many parts of the world, testing and treatment services are limited or inaccessible for marginalized populations.
• Weak health systems: Poorly functioning health systems can make it difficult for people to navigate the care cascade.
• Funding shortfalls: Insufficient funding for HIV programs can limit their reach and effectiveness.

Moving Forward

To achieve the 90-90-90 goals, continued efforts are needed to:

• Reduce stigma and discrimination: Educational campaigns and community outreach programs can help to destigmatize HIV.
• Expand testing and treatment access: Increasing testing sites and providing free or affordable ART will ensure that more people can get the care they need.
• Strengthen health systems: Investing in health infrastructure and training healthcare workers can improve the quality of HIV services.
• Increase funding: Allocating more resources to HIV programs will enable them to reach more people and provide comprehensive care.

The 90-90-90 initiative remains an important target for improving HIV treatment outcomes. By addressing the challenges and investing in sustained efforts, we can reach the ambitious goal of ending HIV as a public health threat.