The HIV epidemic and human rights violations in Brazil

Abstract

Efforts to mitigate stigma and discrimination have been central to the national response to HIV in Brazil, a country historically recognized as a leader in human rights-based HIV prevention, treatment and care. Brazil is credited with avoiding a potentially generalized HIV epidemic by providing universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and associated HIV care since 1996. The Brazilian AIDS policy, although hailed as a model worldwide, has been more difficult to implement among more vulnerable groups of people living with HIV/AIDS, such as drug users, homeless persons, people who use drugs and sex workers, who are often stigmatized as noncompliant or difficult to retain in care. (Published: 12 November 2013) Citation: Malta M and Beyrer C. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2013, 16 :18817 http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/article/view/18817 | http://dx.doi.org/10.7448/IAS.16.1.18817