UNAIDS Takes a Proactive Approach to Addressing HIV Data Inequities

The world faces urgent challenges in global health equity, particularly in the collection and utilization of HIV data. Recognizing these issues, UNAIDS has been working tirelessly to strengthen partnerships with countries, ensuring they have the tools and support to manage their data effectively.

UNAIDS’ Unique Approach to Data Systems

Unlike other global organizations, UNAIDS adopts a tailored approach to data systems. They collaborate directly with countries to fortify their information networks, review data, and use insights to guide HIV response strategies. This participatory process involves engaging stakeholders across various sectors, fostering an inclusive environment that prioritizes data accuracy and consensus.

The Strength of UNAIDS’ Country and Regional Presence

UNAIDS excels thanks to its extensive presence in countries and regions, providing continuous support throughout the data lifecycle. This includes quality control, dissemination, and knowledge translation, ensuring that partners have the resources they need at every step.

Empowering Countries Through Continuous Training and Support

The partnership begins with data quality reviews and continues with ongoing training. UNAIDS organizes regional workshops to equip national experts with the latest tools and methodologies. These sessions bring together epidemiologists, data managers, and other partners to refine epidemic understanding and improve data-driven responses.

Statement from UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director

“Supporting countries to gather the most accurate picture of their national epidemic in a granular manner is a strategic priority for UNAIDS, national partners, and donors.” said Angeli Achrekar, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programmes. “We firmly believe that working together in this partnership, with countries in the lead, and experts, partners, and communities at the table, we deliver more impactful results.”

A Continuum of Regional Workshops

UNAIDS conducts a series of nine regional workshop sessions from December 2024 to February 2025. The first two events took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, where stakeholders refined their epidemic models, enhancing their understanding of HIV trends and progress toward key targets.

Collaborative Model Development

These collaborative workshops result in detailed epidemic summaries that highlight persistent inequalities. The models help countries forecast future trends, informing their Sustainability Roadmaps using advanced tools. This continuous collaboration ensures that data is owned and used effectively by all partners.

Annual Estimates and Stakeholder Consensus

In countries with strategic information advisors, UNAIDS supports the annual estimates process in partnership with other international organizations. This ensures data accuracy and stakeholder agreement on reporting figures, empowering countries to lead their data initiatives.

Enhancing National Response Planning

With clearer epidemic projections, countries can develop targeted response plans. National governments, partners, and community networks use this data to craft effective strategies. UNAIDS compiles and publishes these insights annually in the Global AIDS Update report and on AIDSinfo, the UNAIDS data platform.

Transforming Data Practices

In the past two decades, UNAIDS has shifted from top-down data models to inclusive, equitable, and collaborative processes. This shift prioritizes national ownership, partnership, and transparency, ensuring that countries are in control of their data.

Accessible Tools for Enhanced Data Accuracy

A suite of free tools has been developed to improve data accuracy. These resources are available to epidemiologists in over 170 countries, promoting equitable access to high-quality methodologies. UNAIDS fosters transparency by publishing model methodologies and assumptions in open-access journals and sharing expert deliberations at www.epidem.org.

Conclusion

UNAIDS’ proactive approach to HIV data underscores the importance of collaborative and country-led initiatives in global health. By supporting accurate data collection and analysis, UNAIDS facilitates more effective and equitable responses to the HIV epidemic.

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