RADIAN Expands HIV Support in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

A five-year extension of the RADIAN® cooperation between Gilead Sciences, Inc. and the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has been announced in order to better serve the needs of critical populations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), where the HIV pandemic is spreading. The collaboration will keep helping community-based groups tackling HIV-related issues in the area. Even though the number of HIV cases worldwide is down, the EECA is one of the few places where the pandemic is worsening. Since 2010, the number of new cases and AIDS-related fatalities has increased by 20% and 34%, respectively. Out of the 2.1 million HIV-positive individuals in the EECA, 41% do not know they have the virus, and 50% are not receiving treatment—well below the worldwide objectives of 95-95-95-95.

Daniel O'Day, Chairman and CEO of Gilead Sciences, stressed the need of intensifying cooperative efforts over the following five years. With over 271,000 individuals receiving HIV services, over 114,000 HIV tests given, over 26,500 people starting antiretroviral medication, and over 14,000 frontline workers trained to lessen stigma and prejudice, RADIAN has made a substantial contribution to the region's HIV response. Nonetheless, the crisis in Ukraine, anti-LGBTQ+ laws, abuses of human rights, stigma, and discrimination have all contributed to a sharp increase in the situation in the region in recent years.

Throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia, an area that is sometimes disregarded in the global HIV response, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has a long history of providing support to persons living with or at risk of HIV. In order to address the needs of the most vulnerable key groups in the EECA, such as drug users, men who have sex with men, sex workers, and transgender individuals, RADIAN will continue to fund cooperative, community-based projects for the next five years. Additionally, RADIAN will broaden its geographic scope to include nations that are now sheltering refugees from Ukraine, a region that has a dire need for more HIV care. Through improved access to HIV services and support for their social and mental welfare, this expansion will give these vulnerable populations additional assistance.