The HIV response made important gains in the Latin America and the Caribbean region during the 2022–2023 biennium, particularly in the scale-up of facility- and community-led HIV prevention, treatment and social protection programmes for vulnerable and key populations. Strategic evidence, updated health information systems and needs assessments contributed to the expansion of tailored HIV prevention services, including pre-exposure prophylaxis( PrEP). Improved access to youth-friendly and culture-sensitive HIV and sexual and reproductive health services helped increase the use of condoms, timely case detection and rapid linkages to treatment services.
Latin America and the Caribbean
The Joint Programme’s support in expanding and improving delivery of HIV treatment resulted in a six-fold increase in the coverage of dolutegravir-based adult treatment across the region, with 17 countries introducing dolutegravir-based paediatric treatment. HIV treatment resistance monitoring was also improved with inputs from resistance surveys and validation of regional laboratories.
Capacity building and technical support by the Joint Programme empowered young people and key populations to provide and monitor HIV information and services and advocate for their human rights. Access to integrated HIV and social protection services among vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV and people from the LGBTQI+ communities, is has been improved following assessments of service needs and barriers, the provision of training and stronger coordination with civil society organizations.