
LINKAGES HIV Cascade Framework for Key Populations

The focus of this guidance is on low- and middle-income countries, but it applies equally to high-income settings. The WHO, UNODC, UNAIDS technical guide for countries to set targets for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care for injecting drug users presents a comprehensive package of interventions for HIV prevention, treatment and care for people who inject drugs. This document has helped to achieve global consensus with high-level political bodies, the United Nations, donor agencies and civil society organizations on adopting a public health response that best addresses HIV in countries facing epidemics of injecting drug use. The nine interventions of this package (see box) are also relevant to the prevention of viral hepatitis, in particular the first two, needle and syringe programmes and opioid substitution therapy.
Support legal advocacy and social mobilization in countries that criminalize HIV transmission or exposure in order to repeal or reform these laws;
Consolidate arguments and document why the criminalization of HIV transmission or exposure is not an effective approach for promoting public health;
Catalyse national and international activism to prevent future laws on criminalization being enacted or applied; and
Support people living with HIV to become more familiar with legal issues and their rights.
Understanding what is meant by ‘meaningful involvement’
Finding good reasons to involve youth living with HIV
Linking youth and organisations together
Sustaining and growing youth involvement
Seeing positive health, dignity, and prevention in action
The guidebook provides practical information, tips and tools that can be used by experienced practitioners as well as those who are new to this area to strengthen their capacity to facilitate the meaningful involvement and leadership of YPLHIV.
Understanding what is meant by ‘the HIV response’
Finding good reasons to become involved
Linking you and organisations together
Sustaining and growing your involvement
Seeing Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention in action