Integration and Social Protection

Overview

The Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026 states that when integrated service packages are tailored and delivered in ways that place people at the centre, they can help rapidly reduce inequalities in the HIV response as well as support Universal Health Coverage. People- centred systems for health must ensure that health and community systems, and social and structural enablers optimize the impact and sustainability of HIV programmes. Broader health programmes can be improved using the best practices of the HIV programmes and vice versa to achieve efficient integration.

Evidence shows that social protection instruments, in particular food support, can reduce HIV-related vulnerabilities and negative coping strategies in adolescent and young girls. Stronger social protection and social safety nets with cash transfer elements, and including HIV dimensions, add impetus to HIV efforts and bring the world closer to achieving numerous other Sustainable Development Goals.

Joint Programme Results

The Joint Programme provided policy guidance, advocacy, technical support and knowledge products to support integration systems for health and social protection. As of 2023, 70 countries supported by the Joint Programme provided antiretroviral therapy services that were organized and financed as part of their overall health systems, including through primary health care. Fifty-two countries included cervical cancer screening and treatment for women living with HIV in their national strategies, plans and guidelines for HIV, cancer, cervical cancer, noncommunicable diseases or other health areas.

The Joint Programme supported 44 countries to use gender-related data and evidence to revise social protection policies or programmes to enhance their inclusion of people living with, at risk of and affected by HIV. The Joint Programme supported the extension of HIV-sensitive social protection in 12 countries in western and central Africa, launched checklists, case studies and other tools for HIV-sensitive social protection approaches, and built the capacity of organizations of sex workers to access financial services.

The Joint Programme’s work aided the expansion of “Cash Plus” (or bundled) interventions and shared new evidence and knowledge on successful approaches to reduce the HIV vulnerability of adolescents and young people.

Practical guides and tools on integrated people-centred systems and services, including for common HIV comorbidities, and resilient and sustainable systems for health have helped guide countries’ strategic planning, programming and resource mobilization. The “Go Further” partnership for ending AIDS and cervical cancer in Africa enabled over eight million cervical cancer screenings among for women living with HIV in 12 countries between 2021 and 2023, and a new set of cervical cancer and HIV integration indicators helped track progress.

Joint Programme Specific Outputs 2022-2023

9.1 Provide policy guidance, advocacy and technical support and produce and share knowledge products to support and advocate for integrated systems for health, social protection, innovations and technologies to reduce health inequalities for people living with, at risk of and affected by HIV.

9.2 Improve data generation and make better use of evidence to ensure access of people living with HIV to social protection and facilitate increased integration and linkages of HIV services in testing, treatment and care for other diseases and comorbidities.