Viewpoint: The Brazilian HIV/AIDS ‘success story’– can others do it?

A Public Policy Approach to Local Models of HIV/AIDS Control in Brazil

“…12,13,37,38 They have pointed out some specific aspects of the Brazilian response affecting this transferability: the strengths of the public health system; the mobilization of civil society, which played a major role in the development and sustainability of AIDS programs; the role of the sanitarist movement; and a specific sexual culture, as analyzed by Parker et al 39 Our study leads to complementary conclusions. Our study of Brazilian AIDS programs focused on actors and patterns of cooperation that were at work in the AIDS programs of nearly all countries.…”

Liderança brasileira à luz da Declaração de Compromisso sobre HIV/Aids da UNGASS

“…It is well-known that one of the major characteristics that support the Brazilian response to AIDS is the articulation between government and large social sectors in the management of initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of infection and dealing with the major problems faced by the affected population. From the very beginning of the epidemic, as indicated by the documentation regis-Brazilian leadership and the Declaration of Commitment Bermúdez XPD & Seffner F tered in different studies, 4,8,10 the articulation between these two actors was essential aimed at shaping the Brazilian response to the epidemic. Paradoxically, this peculiar trait of the Brazilian response to AIDS, which we consider as illustrative to other contexts, poses to Brazil an increased challenge in terms of improving this partnership and discerning novel courses of action in the battle against the epidemic.…”

“…Arduously earned achievements are at the root of Brazil's worldwide leadership and the effectiveness in the execution of a national response which articulates comprehensive actions of prevention, care, treatment, and human rights, with significant results. 8 The activity of leaderships from civil society, government, and private enterprise have turned Brazil into a worldwide leader in the fight against AIDS. However, results in terms of small-scale policies vary in a country with geographic, social, economic, and sanitary conditions of continental breadth.…”

Sexually transmitted infections and HIV control efforts

“…Although a generic three-drug regimen can be purchased for as little as US$150 annually, even that is beyond the resources of many African countries whose per capita expenditure on healthcare ranges from US$250 for each South African citizen to US$9 for each citizen of Mozambique [105]. Still, such efforts can pay off: Brazilian citizens were guaranteed antiretroviral therapy by law and saw the prevalence and mortality of HIV cut by half in 5 years [29]. The WHO '3 × 5' project aimed to make medications available to another 3 million victims in the most impoverished areas by the end of 2005.…”