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- Title
Evolving Human Rights and the Science of Antiretroviral Medicine.
- Authors
KAVANAGH, MATTHEW M.; COHN, JENNIFER; MABOTE, LYNETTE; MEIER, BENJAMIN MASON; WILLIAMS, BRIAN; RUSSELL, ASIA; SIKWESE, KENLY; BAKER, BROOK K.
- Abstract
Recent years have seen significant advances in the science of using antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) to fight HIV. Where not long ago ARVs were used late in disease to prevent sick people from dying, today people living with HIV can use ARVs to achieve viral suppression early in the course of disease. This article reviews the mounting new scientific evidence of major clinical and prevention ARV benefits. This has changed the logic of the AIDS response, eliminating competition between “treatment” and “prevention” and encouraging early initiation of treatment for individual and public health benefit. These breakthroughs have implications for the health-related human rights duties of States. With medical advance, the “highest attainable standard” of health has taken a leap, and with it the rights obligations of States. We argue that access to early treatment for all is now a core State obligation and restricting access to, or failing to provide accurate information about, it violates both individual and collective rights. In a context of real political and technical challenges, however, in this article we review the policy implications of evolving human rights obligations given the new science. National and international legal standards require action on budget, health and intellectual property policy, which we outline.
- Subjects
HIV prevention; HIV infection transmission; ANTI-HIV agents; AIDS education; DEVELOPING countries; DISCRIMINATION (Sociology); HEALTH; HEALTH care rationing; HEALTH planning; HEALTH services accessibility; HIV infections; HIV-positive persons; HUMAN rights; MEDICAL quality control; HEALTH policy; POLICY sciences; WORLD health; INFORMATION resources; GOVERNMENT aid; WORLD Health Organization; DEVELOPED countries; EARLY medical intervention; CD4 lymphocyte count; ESSENTIAL drugs; ECONOMICS
- Publication
Health & Human Rights: An International Journal, 2015, Vol 17, Issue 1, p76
- ISSN
1079-0969
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2307/healhumarigh.17.1.76