Although progress in containing the HIV epidemic is being seen in nearly all regions of the world, there are many areas where coverage for essential HIV prevention, treatment, care and support remains too low to have a major impact on the course of the epidemic. 

The AIDS epidemic can only be reversed if effective HIV prevention measures are intensified in scale and scope. HIV prevention and treatment services should be mutually reinforcing.

With the 2006 United Nations political declaration on HIV/AIDS, Governments made the international commitment to improve the response to AIDS, with the ultimate objective of moving towards universal access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010.

On the basis of UNAIDS’ 2005 Policy position paper on intensifying HIV prevention, a set of practical guidelines for intensifying HIV prevention was developed and disseminated globally. These guidelines give specific advice on the key HIV prevention activities in low-level, concentrated, generalized and hyperendemic epidemic environments. The guidelines also set out the “Why? What? and How?” for prevention actions, addressing 14 key audiences.

Intensifying HIV prevention: a UNAIDS policy position paper energizes and mobilizes an intensification of HIV prevention with the ultimate aim of universal access to HIV prevention and treatment. It was developed through extensive consultation with the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board.

UNAIDS Practical Guidelines for Intensifying HIV Prevention: Towards Universal Access provides practical guidance to tailor national HIV prevention responses. It was developed in consultation with the UNAIDS cosponsors, international collaborating partners, governments, civil society leaders, and other experts.