Prevention Lab - HIV & STI: Change the Course. Prevent!

Despite the significant progress achieved in  the  prevention  and  treatment  of  HIV infection, viral transmission remains a public health  challenge  in  Europe  and  in  Italy. Epidemiological  data  from  recent  years show a stable incidence of new diagnoses, particularly among specific key populations, highlighting limitations in the implementation, access, and adherence to currently available prevention  tools.  These  challenges  are compounded  by  social  and  structural determinants, such as stigma, discrimination, and marginalization, which continue to hinder the effectiveness of prevention programs.

The National Conference represents a high-level scientific forum aimed at critically and multidisciplinarily analyzing HIV and related infection prevention strategies, integrating epidemiological  evidence,  public  health models, therapeutic innovation, and person-centered approaches. The objective is to promote an up-to-date vision of combination prevention,   aligned   with   international recommendations  and  the  needs  of  the national context, with the goal of fostering continuous professional development among healthcare workers, encouraging the adoption of evidence-based preventive strategies, and contributing to the development of more effective,  equitable,  and  sustainable  HIV prevention models.

The program also addresses the role of social determinants of health, with particular attention  to  the  impact  of  stigma  and discrimination  on  access  to  prevention services. In this context, the identification and characterization of populations at higher risk represent a crucial step in the development of targeted and effective interventions.

The  use  of  risk  assessment  models and  outcome  indicators  can  enable  the measurement of the impact of preventive strategies and guide evidence-based health policies. In parallel, updates on HIV testing strategies and partner notification emphasize the  importance  of  early  diagnosis  as  a cornerstone of prevention.

A central area of scientific discussion is dedicated  to  pre-exposure  prophylaxis (PrEP),  recognized  as  one  of  the  most effective  tools  for  HIV  prevention.  The program examines the current state of PrEP implementation, with particular attention to delivery  models,  territorial  dissemination, and challenges related to access, adherence, and retention. It also explores the role of community engagement and peer educators in improving the effectiveness of preventive interventions and reducing inequalities in access, particularly among populations such as  women,  young  people,  migrants,  and transgender individuals.

The forward-looking perspective is further expanded through the analysis of long-acting PrEP  formulations,  from  their  biological foundations to clinical trial results and early implementation  experiences. These new approaches represent a significant evolution in pharmacological prevention, with the potential to overcome some of the limitations of oral PrEP and to better address the needs of currently underserved populations.

Another key pillar of the program is Treatment as Prevention (TasP), discussed both in the context of rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy in newly diagnosed individuals and in  strategies  for  re-engagement  in  care and management of adherence challenges to  antiretroviral  therapy.  The  evidence supporting  virological  suppression  as  a prevention tool, in accordance with the U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) concept, is  applied  to  complex  clinical  scenarios, including those characterized by high clinical and social vulnerability.

Finally,   the   program   integrates   HIV prevention  with  vaccination  strategies  in high-risk populations and in people with HIV, examining the role of anti-HPV, anti-pneumococcal-,  and  anti-Herpes  Zoster vaccination in preventing comorbidities and long-term  complications.  This  approach reflects a modern and integrated vision of prevention, aimed not only at reducing HIV transmission but also at improving overall health and quality of life.

The Conference is intended for Physicians specialized in Infectious Diseases, Hygiene and  Public  Health,  Internal  Medicine, Microbiology and Virology, Epidemiology.