The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine is one of the fastest growing in the world. In 2008, ICID hosted the Canadian Forum on HIV and Ukraine to generate awareness of the need for ongoing support to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine, and to present preliminary results of a UNAIDS coordinated external review of Ukraine's response to this crisis.
For more on the Canadian Forum on HIV and Ukraine please see ICID's Ukraine Project page.
Recent media and reports:
2011
AFP June 3, 2011
Ninety percent of new infections in the region occur in Russia and Ukraine, with a growing share of women infected by sex partners who have contracted the disease through drug injection, according to the United Nations.
World Health Organization (press release) May 26, 2011
Despite progress in increasing HIV treatment and prevention services, HIV is still affecting millions of lives across the world. HIV is spreading fastest in eastern Europe and Ukraine has one of the largest burdens of HIV in the region.
AFP May 26, 2011
More must be done to stem HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe, as infections continue to spiral in nations in the region, notably Russia, experts warned on Friday.
PBS NewsHour May 11, 2011 (VIDEO)
Ukraine has the highest HIV infection rate in Europe and now there are fears its epidemic could spread to neighboring countries. Special correspondent Kira Kay reports from Ukraine on the health issue.
IPS Mar 22, 2011
Fears are growing among HIV/AIDS sufferers in the Ukraine amid claims from some patients that they have been denied life-saving medicines by authorities as a crackdown is launched on drug substitution therapy.
Fears are growing among HIV/AIDS sufferers in the Ukraine amid claims from some patients that they have been denied life-saving medicines by authorities as a crackdown is launched on drug substitution therapy.
Effectiveness and Cost Effectiveness of Expanding Harm Reduction and Antiretroviral Therapy in a Mixed HIV Epidemic: A Modeling Analysis for Ukraine
PLoS Medicine, Mar 2, 2011
PLoS Medicine, Mar 2, 2011
The Stanford Daily, Mar 2, 2011
The most effective way to combat the spread of HIV spread by intravenous drug use is a combined program of drug substitution and anti-retroviral therapy for those already infected, according to a study conducted by Stanford University and the Veteran Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System.
The most effective way to combat the spread of HIV spread by intravenous drug use is a combined program of drug substitution and anti-retroviral therapy for those already infected, according to a study conducted by Stanford University and the Veteran Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System.
U.S. to help Ukraine in fight against HIV/AIDS
Interfax-Ukraine Feb 16
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko on Feb. 15 signed an agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the U.S. government on cooperation in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in 2011-2015
Interfax-Ukraine Feb 16
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko on Feb. 15 signed an agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the U.S. government on cooperation in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in 2011-2015
U.S. State Department Feb 16, 2011
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko convened the third session of the U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission on Feb. 15 in Washington, DC.
Associated Press Feb 15, 2011
Ukraine has Europe's worst AIDS epidemic and it risks getting much worse because of drug supply cuts blamed on government corruption and official harassment of AIDS groups and HIV-infected drug users, health experts warn
Ukraine has Europe's worst AIDS epidemic and it risks getting much worse because of drug supply cuts blamed on government corruption and official harassment of AIDS groups and HIV-infected drug users, health experts warn
Lack of Drugs Puts Ukraine's HIV Patients at Risk
NTDTV Feb 1, 2011
20,000 HIV-positive patients may die in Ukraine, due to a lack of medications and treatment. Of the 17 drugs required by these patients, Ukraine is now short of at least five.
NTDTV Feb 1, 2011
20,000 HIV-positive patients may die in Ukraine, due to a lack of medications and treatment. Of the 17 drugs required by these patients, Ukraine is now short of at least five.
UN News Centre Jan 31, 2011
Ukraine's HIV epidemic is the most severe in all of Europe, with a prevalence estimated at 1.3 per cent, and annual diagnoses have more than doubled.
Ukraine's HIV epidemic is the most severe in all of Europe, with a prevalence estimated at 1.3 per cent, and annual diagnoses have more than doubled.
Reuters AlertNet Jan 24, 2011
Hundreds of patients receiving drug substitution therapy and NGOs that are supporting programmes providing substitution therapy are facing harassment and abuse from state authorities in Ukraine after orders from the Ministry of Interior’s drug enforcement department in a worrying crackdown on people trying to access health services.
Hundreds of patients receiving drug substitution therapy and NGOs that are supporting programmes providing substitution therapy are facing harassment and abuse from state authorities in Ukraine after orders from the Ministry of Interior’s drug enforcement department in a worrying crackdown on people trying to access health services.
How Russia's 'Drug Problem' Has 'Become An AIDS Problem'
Reuters Jan 25, 2011
Russia has been far less active in tackling the problem. Critics go as far as to accuse Moscow of wilfully neglecting its citizens and thereby fuelling what the World Health Organization says is one of the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world.
Reuters Jan 25, 2011
Russia has been far less active in tackling the problem. Critics go as far as to accuse Moscow of wilfully neglecting its citizens and thereby fuelling what the World Health Organization says is one of the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world.
2010
SOS Children’s Villages News Nov 30, 2010
At 1.1 per cent of the adult population (15-49 years), Ukraine has the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS across the region (the Russian Federation also has a high incidence at 1.0). Over the last decade, Ukraine witnessed a rapid rise in HIV infections among drug users, but now the epidemic is spreading quickly into the wider population.
Ukraine's AIDS program underfunded - minister
RIA Novosti November 17, 2010
The program to contain the spread of the disease and cater for the HIV-positive sufferers through 2013 was adopted in February 2009. However, in 2010 it received 60% of the allocated funds, Bydniy told an HIV/AIDS conference in Kiev.
RIA Novosti November 17, 2010
The program to contain the spread of the disease and cater for the HIV-positive sufferers through 2013 was adopted in February 2009. However, in 2010 it received 60% of the allocated funds, Bydniy told an HIV/AIDS conference in Kiev.
Med school prof battles HIV in Eastern Europe
Yale Daily News October 27, 2010
Yale researchers are tackling the burgeoning HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe. School of Medicine professor Frederick L. Altice and his research team received a $4.2 million grant this month from the National Institutes on Drug Abuse to conduct studies on the HIV epidemic within the Ukraine and other Eastern European criminal justice systems
Yale Daily News October 27, 2010
Yale researchers are tackling the burgeoning HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe. School of Medicine professor Frederick L. Altice and his research team received a $4.2 million grant this month from the National Institutes on Drug Abuse to conduct studies on the HIV epidemic within the Ukraine and other Eastern European criminal justice systems
Why HIV/AIDS in Ukraine matters to us all
Kyiv Post (Op-Ed) October 18, 2010
Ukraine is the country worst affected by HIV/AIDS in Europe. 440,000 people aged 15-49 are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS. Three regions - Kyiv, Odessa and Donetsk - have recently crossed the threshold of 1% HIV infection among pregnant women, indicating the increasing generalisation of the epidemic.
Kyiv Post (Op-Ed) October 18, 2010
Ukraine is the country worst affected by HIV/AIDS in Europe. 440,000 people aged 15-49 are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS. Three regions - Kyiv, Odessa and Donetsk - have recently crossed the threshold of 1% HIV infection among pregnant women, indicating the increasing generalisation of the epidemic.
Ukraine - President meets with former US president William Clinton
President of Ukraine website Oct 5, 2010
On his part, the former US president said that he has been interested in Ukraine for a long time. He noted that the William Clinton Foundation, organized by the former US president, has been working for several years in Ukraine to tackle AIDS.
President of Ukraine website Oct 5, 2010
On his part, the former US president said that he has been interested in Ukraine for a long time. He noted that the William Clinton Foundation, organized by the former US president, has been working for several years in Ukraine to tackle AIDS.
Global Post September 29, 2010
In Ukraine, scarce resources compound booming HIV/AIDS epidemic.
In Ukraine, scarce resources compound booming HIV/AIDS epidemic.
In video shorts, young Ukrainians tell their stories about HIV and AIDS
UNICEF (press release) August 9, 2010
UNICEF (press release) August 9, 2010
Punished for Fighting AIDS
IPS August 4, 2010
Drug users and doctors legally prescribing substitution drugs to addicts -- a key tool in the battle with the country's growing HIV epidemic -- are facing illegal police intimidation and imprisonment, HIV/AIDS activists in the Ukraine say.
Photo Essay: HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe
Science Magazine July 2010
In a special section of the 9 July 2010 issue of Science, contributing correspondent Jon Cohen examines the spread of HIV in Russia and Ukraine, which together account for more than 90% of the infections in Eastern Europe.
IPS August 4, 2010
Drug users and doctors legally prescribing substitution drugs to addicts -- a key tool in the battle with the country's growing HIV epidemic -- are facing illegal police intimidation and imprisonment, HIV/AIDS activists in the Ukraine say.
Photo Essay: HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe
Science Magazine July 2010
In a special section of the 9 July 2010 issue of Science, contributing correspondent Jon Cohen examines the spread of HIV in Russia and Ukraine, which together account for more than 90% of the infections in Eastern Europe.
Ukraine on the front line against AIDS
euronews July 20, 2010
Ukraine has Europe's fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. Sex workers are obviously at risk, with many of the women also using drugs.
Harsh attitudes fuel Eastern Europe HIV epidemic
Reuters Jul 19, 2010
An underground HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is building at an alarming pace, fuelled by drug use, risky sex and severe social stigma that stops people asking for help, the United Nations said on Monday.
Reuters Jul 19, 2010
An underground HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is building at an alarming pace, fuelled by drug use, risky sex and severe social stigma that stops people asking for help, the United Nations said on Monday.
FACTBOX - HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Reuters Jul 19, 2010
Russia and Ukraine are experiencing especially severe and growing epidemics.
Why is Ukraine reversing HIV policy?
The Guardian (U.K.) Jul 18, 2010
In eastern Europe's HIV epidemic Ukraine was a bright spot; now doctors offering methadone are being arrested for trafficking.
How Ukraine is tackling Europe's worst HIV epidemic
British Medical Journal 13 July 2010 2010;341:c3538
Despite entrenched corruption and police interference, community organisations lead the fight against HIV among drug injectors and sex workers in Ukraine, reports Richard Hurley.
Science Special Section Examines HIV/AIDS In Russia, Ukraine
Kaiser Foundation July 9, 2010
In a special section in advance of the International AIDS Conference, Science examines the "state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Russia and Ukraine, which account for more than 90% of HIV infections in Eastern Europe.
HIV/AIDS patients protest Ukrainian Cabinet's decision to close their clinic
The Canadian Press Jul 7, 2010
About 200 HIV-positive people, doctors and AIDS activists protested Wednesday outside Ukraine's Cabinet building.
Sex now chief cause of Ukraine's AIDS epidemic
AFP Jul 10, 2010
The young father contracted HIV through a casual sexual relationship, like alarming numbers of others in a country where heterosexual transmission has overtaken drug abuse as the main cause of AIDS. The trend has alarmed researchers, showing that the HIV epidemic in Ukraine has now moved out of the niche of intravenous drug users and into the heterosexual mainstream.
2008 - 2009
Elton John highlighted the plight of the Ukraine's Aids orphans
The Mail on Sunday October 24, 2009
Hidden HIV epidemic amongst MSM in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
UNAIDS January 26, 2009
Ukraine Parliament Introduces Bill To Increase HIV Prevention, Treatment Efforts
Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, October 3, 2008
Ukraine Losing HIV/AIDS Fight
Kyiv Post, May 7, 2008
First ever mass campaign on HIV/AIDS prevention among student youth launches in Ukraine
Unian.net April 16, 2008
Advertising community pushes anti-AIDS ad
Kyiv Post, June 20, 2007
Ukraine's HIV/AIDS epidemic
BBC Radio 4 Crossing Continents, February 16, 2006 (AUDIO, 28 minutes)
Reference Links
Ukraine: National Report on Monitoring Progress Towards the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS
Ministry of Health of Ukraine 2010 (Reporting period: January 2008–December 2009)
Regional Session: Eastern Europe and Central Asia
XVII International Aids Conference, Mexico City, August 6, 2008 (video and audio)
UNAIDS Country Report: Ukraine
United Nations, November 30, 2010
