PRESS RELEASE
Issued by Aidsfonds-Soa Aids Nederland, on October 21, 2024.

Aidsfonds expresses concern over the latest figures from the Dutch HIV Monitoring Foundation, which show that the annual decline in new HIV diagnoses in the Netherlands has come to a halt. While this figure had been decreasing since 2010, the decline has now plateaued in recent years. Although the total number of new HIV diagnoses remains stable, with 424 registered cases in 2023, it is particularly notable that the share of young men who have sex with men (MSM) with a new HIV diagnosis is increasing. This week, the Dutch House of Representatives will discuss the budget of the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport, marking the first opportunity for members of parliament to take action to reverse this trend.

Mark Vermeulen, Director of Aidsfonds-Soa Aids Nederland: "The fact that the proportion of young men who have sex with men with a new HIV diagnosis is rising is alarming. This calls for intensified prevention campaigns, such as promoting condom use and improving access to PrEP. This could include providing PrEP free of charge to vulnerable groups who cannot afford it. Young people need the information and tools to protect themselves against HIV."

In the age category of 15-24 years, there were 40 new HIV diagnoses in 2023. The share of younger MSM (ages 15-30) with a new HIV diagnosis increased from 15% in 2002 to 29% in 2023. This upward trend highlights the need to strengthen existing prevention strategies and implement new measures.

PrEP and condom promotion remain essential
The need for more prevention is underscored by figures from the HIV Monitoring Foundation on PrEP use prior to an HIV diagnosis. The use of PrEP—a preventive HIV medication—is rising among MSM and transgender individuals, from 8% in 2021 to 15% in 2023. Despite this, many opportunities remain unmet: among those with a new HIV diagnosis who did not use PrEP, 25% believed they were not at risk, 19% were unaware of PrEP, and 21% wanted PrEP but had no access or were on a waiting list. Additionally, 23.4% of MSM diagnosed with HIV in 2023 reported not wanting to use PrEP. There are also indications that care for people who stop taking PrEP needs to be improved. Vermeulen emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach: "PrEP is a powerful tool, but it’s not the only solution. We must also invest in condom promotion and better support for people who stop using PrEP."

The Netherlands still in a strong position
Despite the concerning statistics among young people, Aidsfonds stresses that the Netherlands is still in a strong position to bring the number of new HIV infections to zero. The necessary resources are available but must be effectively deployed.

Vermeulen: "We have the tools to eliminate HIV. But we must act swiftly and decisively to prevent further spread among vulnerable groups. This can be achieved through more campaigns and effective surveillance to provide us with the data needed to adjust our efforts. There is a significant role for our government to play, and we urge that preventive measures not face budget cuts. We fear that reducing prevention funding will only lead to a further increase in HIV infections, taking us back 15 years."

These figures are found in a pre-release of the 2024 HIV Monitoring Report, available on the HIV Monitoring Foundation website at www.hiv-monitoring.nl/voorpublicatie2024. The full report will be published online on November 21, 2024.