The UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets aim to ensure that by 2030, 95% of all people living with HIV know their HIV status, 95% of all people diagnosed with HIV receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy have viral suppression. As 2025 approaches, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces significant challenges in achieving these targets. This special issue seeks to focus on the specific challenges associated with reaching the 95-95-95 targets, provide a comprehensive overview of current obstacles, and explore innovative solutions and pathways forward.The objective of this special issue is to gather a collection of research articles, reviews, and perspectives that delve into the key challenges and barriers impeding progress towards the 95-95-95 targets in SSA. The special issue aims to:1° Identify and analyze the primary challenges in achieving the first 95 (HIV testing), the second 95 (linkage to care and retention on treatment), and the third 95 (viral suppression).2° Highlight innovative approaches and best practices that address these challenges.3° Provide policy recommendations and future directions for overcoming barriers and accelerating progress towards the 95-95-95 targets.1. Challenges in reaching the first 95: HIV testingo Undiagnosed and high-risk populations: Addressing the challenge of reaching individuals who remain undiagnosed or at high risk of acquiring HIV.o Demand generation: Strategies for increasing demand for testing services, particularly among men and those less likely to use health facilities.o Innovative testing approaches: The role of novel testing methods, including index testing and self-testing, in identifying undiagnosed people living with HIV.2. Challenges in linkage to care and retention on treatmento Linkage to care: Ensuring that individuals diagnosed with HIV are promptly linked to care.o Retention on treatment: Overcoming barriers to maintaining adherence to antiretroviral therapy.o Access and education: Improving access to services in underserved areas and enhancing education and awareness to address social and cultural barriers.3. Challenges in achieving viral suppressiono Treatment adherence: Factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral therapy.o Drug resistance: The impact of drug resistance on achieving viral suppression.o Viral load monitoring: Access to and utilization of viral load monitoring to ensure effective treatment.4. Geographic and sociodemographic constraintso Geographic heterogeneity: Addressing the substantial variation in HIV prevalence, incidence, and progress towards the 95-95-95 targets across regions, provinces, and districts.o Sociodemographic constraints: Understanding the impact of factors such as high levels of migrant labor, population mobility in border regions, and other sociodemographic constraints on progress.o Tailored interventions: The need for interventions that are specifically tailored to address the unique needs of different geographic areas and populations.5. Insufficient focus on HIV preventiono Regional disparities: The impact of insufficient focus on prevention efforts in certain countries.o Political and financial commitment: The need for accelerated political leadership, investment, and data-driven prevention efforts.6. Innovative solutions and pathways forwardo Localized approaches: The importance of a localized approach that leverages geospatial mapping tools and addresses sociodemographic barriers.o Tailored interventions: Strategies to ensure equitable access to HIV prevention and treatment services across SSA.We invite researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and community leaders to contribute to this special issue by submitting original research articles, reviews, case studies, and opinion pieces. Contributions should focus on the challenges and innovative solutions related to the 95-95-95 targets and provide evidence-based insights and recommendations.As sub-Saharan Africa progresses toward the 2030 deadline for the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, understanding and addressing the specific challenges in reaching these targets is crucial. This special issue aims to highlight the key obstacles and innovative solutions, contributing to the collective effort of achieving a future where HIV is no longer a public health threat.
The UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets aim to ensure that by 2030, 95% of all people living with HIV know their HIV status, 95% of all people diagnosed with HIV receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy have viral suppression. As 2025 approaches, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces significant challenges in achieving these targets. This special issue seeks to focus on the specific challenges associated with reaching the 95-95-95 targets, provide a comprehensive overview of current obstacles, and explore innovative solutions and pathways forward.The objective of this special issue is to gather a collection of research articles, reviews, and perspectives that delve into the key challenges and barriers impeding progress towards the 95-95-95 targets in SSA. The special issue aims to:1° Identify and analyze the primary challenges in achieving the first 95 (HIV testing), the second 95 (linkage to care and retention on treatment), and the third 95 (viral suppression).2° Highlight innovative approaches and best practices that address these challenges.3° Provide policy recommendations and future directions for overcoming barriers and accelerating progress towards the 95-95-95 targets.1. Challenges in reaching the first 95: HIV testingo Undiagnosed and high-risk populations: Addressing the challenge of reaching individuals who remain undiagnosed or at high risk of acquiring HIV.o Demand generation: Strategies for increasing demand for testing services, particularly among men and those less likely to use health facilities.o Innovative testing approaches: The role of novel testing methods, including index testing and self-testing, in identifying undiagnosed people living with HIV.2. Challenges in linkage to care and retention on treatmento Linkage to care: Ensuring that individuals diagnosed with HIV are promptly linked to care.o Retention on treatment: Overcoming barriers to maintaining adherence to antiretroviral therapy.o Access and education: Improving access to services in underserved areas and enhancing education and awareness to address social and cultural barriers.3. Challenges in achieving viral suppressiono Treatment adherence: Factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral therapy.o Drug resistance: The impact of drug resistance on achieving viral suppression.o Viral load monitoring: Access to and utilization of viral load monitoring to ensure effective treatment.4. Geographic and sociodemographic constraintso Geographic heterogeneity: Addressing the substantial variation in HIV prevalence, incidence, and progress towards the 95-95-95 targets across regions, provinces, and districts.o Sociodemographic constraints: Understanding the impact of factors such as high levels of migrant labor, population mobility in border regions, and other sociodemographic constraints on progress.o Tailored interventions: The need for interventions that are specifically tailored to address the unique needs of different geographic areas and populations.5. Insufficient focus on HIV preventiono Regional disparities: The impact of insufficient focus on prevention efforts in certain countries.o Political and financial commitment: The need for accelerated political leadership, investment, and data-driven prevention efforts.6. Innovative solutions and pathways forwardo Localized approaches: The importance of a localized approach that leverages geospatial mapping tools and addresses sociodemographic barriers.o Tailored interventions: Strategies to ensure equitable access to HIV prevention and treatment services across SSA.We invite researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and community leaders to contribute to this special issue by submitting original research articles, reviews, case studies, and opinion pieces. Contributions should focus on the challenges and innovative solutions related to the 95-95-95 targets and provide evidence-based insights and recommendations.As sub-Saharan Africa progresses toward the 2030 deadline for the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, understanding and addressing the specific challenges in reaching these targets is crucial. This special issue aims to highlight the key obstacles and innovative solutions, contributing to the collective effort of achieving a future where HIV is no longer a public health threat.