Local HIV Diagnoses In Decline, Challenges To Achieving Elimination Goal
There were also 28 people diagnosed with AIDS in 2024, with 18 (64%) being MSM. This is the highest number of local AIDS diagnoses since 2010. Over 70% of these people (20) were diagnosed with AIDS within 3 months of their HIV diagnosisindicating …
There were 38 gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) who acquired HIV in Aotearoa New Zealand last year, a decrease from the previous year and continuing the overall downward trend since the peak of 97 in 2016. The 2024 HIV and AIDS notification data was released today by the University of Otago AIDS Epidemiology group.
There were also 28 people diagnosed with AIDS in 2024, with 18 (64%) being MSM. This is the highest number of local AIDS diagnoses since 2010. Over 70% of these people (20) were diagnosed with AIDS within 3 months of their HIV diagnosis—indicating late HIV diagnoses.
Burnett Foundation Interim General Manager, Alex Anderson, says it is worrying that we are still seeing people being diagnosed with AIDS, a sign of a late diagnosis of HIV-infection that developed into AIDS.
'If we are going to achieve our 2030 goal of eliminating local HIV transmission, we need to see everyone at-risk of acquiring HIV in regular systems of testing. If HIV is diagnosed early, it helps stop further transmission and ensures better health outcomes for recently diagnosed people.'
Mr. Anderson says that while numbers are trending down, work is needed to ensure equitable access to testing, prevention and education.
'We are seeing continued decline in local HIV acquisitions, but the new data show it is mostly in European MSM. We are not seeing the same decline in Māori and Pacific people. It is imperative that nobody is left behind in our response,' says Mr. Anderson.
Of the MSM who acquired HIV in New Zealand in 2024, 8 were European while 16 were Māori, 5 were Pacific people, 6 Asian and 3 were of another or unknown ethnicity.
'We are working with community to ensure our messages reaches those who need it most. Our free HIV self-test vending machines around the country are making testing more accessible to all. We are also advocating to make PrEP more accessible from a wider range of nurses, pharmacies and community orgs to increase uptake of this important prevention tool,' says Mr. Anderson.
The government's National HIV Action Plan received a one-year funding extension in Budget 2025, now running through to the 2028/29 financial year. The Action Plan's goal is a 90% reduction in locally acquired infections compared to the 2010 baseline by 2030 as well as ensuring that people living with HIV have healthy lives free from stigma and discrimination.
'This is a clear signal that the government continues to see value in the Action Plan, although we'll be watching closely how this additional funding is prioritised and commissioned by Te Whatu Ora Health NZ,' says Mr. Anderson.
A recent study showed that every $1 invested in Burnett Foundation Aotearoa means $5.05 saved for the New Zealand public, in HIV acquisitions prevented.
Mr. Anderson says that the Foundation is also watching the growing HIV outbreak in Fiji, and cuts to global HIV funding, with concern.
'We must ensure our local response remains strong, with a growing number of people being unable to access prevention and treatment overseas, there is a real risk of rising global transmission. We are looking at ways we can support our local Fijian communities as there are strong migrant connections between our two countries. We are aware how an outbreak in Fiji can affect our own response here. We must work together to ensure there is a strong, coordinated regional response.'
Notes:
There were three trans women who acquired HIV in Aotearoa last year. Although data on HIV diagnoses among trans populations has only been collected since 2017, and increasing awareness of gender diversity among healthcare providers is likely improving reporting, it remains crucial that we monitor emerging population groups closely and ensure our prevention tools are both accessible and inclusive.
Living with HIV is a manageable condition for most Kiwis in 2024. People living with HIV who are on effective treatment, with an undetectable viral load, have zero chance of passing on HIV to their sexual partners.
Burnett Foundation Aotearoa, along with our sector partners Positive Women Inc., Toitū te Ao and Body Positive Inc., provide a broad range of support services and information for people living with HIV, to support the HIV response in Aotearoa New Zealand. Anyone can visit our websites or contact us to discuss how we can best support them:
• https://www.burnettfoundation.org.nz/
• https://positivewomen.org.nz/
• https://www.toituteao.org/
• https://bodypositive.org.nz/
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Otago Daily Times
$10k to fight Parkinson's
The Rotary Club of Gore has made a donation to the tune of $10,000 for Parkinson's research, hoping the grand gesture will go a long way. Treasurer Graeme Lynn said the club had a bit in the coffer after selling cattle raised by Rotary members, as well as pea straw and potatoes, and wanted it to go to a good cause. "I suppose we didn't want to accumulate a lot of funds, and our president Russell [Welsh] saw a need there because he had friends with Parkinson's. "We knew of people in the community who had Parkinson's. It's quite a condition and it just seems to sneak up on people," he said. Where the money would go was a different question, as the club felt just handing over $10,000 towards any charity may not be the best use of such a sum. Mr Lynn said a member of the club came to the rescue, with a meaningful place for the money to make a difference. "Suddenly out of the blue one of our members suggested giving money for research, meaningful research, and then we heard about Louise [Parr-Brownlie]," he said. The money was presented to Prof Louise Parr-Brownlie from the University of Otago, an internationally recognised researcher who looks into the condition. The club was impressed by Prof Parr-Brownlie's work in the field, as well as her PhD and New Zealand Order of Merit, and felt it was the right call. Prof Parr-Brownlie's work at the university uses animal models to understand brain activity, exploring the link between the human brain and the gut by using compounds and dietary changes to explore Parkinson's further. Prof Parr-Brownlie was extremely appreciative of the club for the donation. "It makes a huge difference. I cannot explain how much the money helps. It helps us perform the parts of the experiments we can't really afford to do. "I would just like to say thank you. "The opportunity came out of the blue. It's just very, very valuable," she said.
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Scoop
Opportunities Identified To Strengthen Equitable Access To Midwifery Continuity Of Care
Press Release – NZ College Of Midwives A new analysis commissioned by Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, Analysis of claims under the Primary Maternity Services Notice, reinforces the vital role of the midwifery lead maternity carer (LMC) model of care in delivering quality maternity report recognises that continuity of care is the standard that all pregnant women, gender diverse people and their whānau should be able to access and shows that three quarters of women receive care from an LMC across the full course of pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period. The findings provide strong evidence for Health NZ to invest in strengthening and supporting the LMC model to ensure equitable access for whānau who don't currently receive full continuity of care. The analysis of 2022 maternity care data shows that 91.5% of women registered with an LMC in pregnancy and over 95% of LMCs are midwives. This highlights LMC midwives' commitment to meet communities' needs despite a 40% workforce shortage at that time. However, the data also highlights inequity of access to midwifery care, driven by significant workforce shortages in Auckland, Counties Manukau, and Hutt Valley. These shortages disproportionately affect Māori, Pacific, Indian, and MELAA families. The College has long been calling for targeted investment to expand access to midwifery continuity of care and to establish navigational support to register with a midwife in pregnancy. This report provides clear data supporting that call — especially in regions facing chronic midwife shortages and among communities that lack equitable access to care. 'The Kahu Taurima policy work being undertaken by Health NZ offers a critical opportunity to reimagine maternity funding and workforce strategies,' says Alison Eddy, CE of the College of Midwives. 'We have strong evidence and a dedicated midwifery workforce. Now is the time to back our maternity system with the investment it needs to deliver equitable access to continuity of care for all.' Additional information Analysis of Claims under the Primary Maternity Services Notice 1. What is this report about? The report analyses payment data under the Primary Maternity Services Notice to understand how maternity care was accessed and provided in 2022. It focuses particularly on continuity of care provided by Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs), most of whom are midwives. 2. Why was 2022 such a significant year for midwifery? In 2022, midwifery was the most acutely understaffed health profession in Aotearoa, with a documented workforce shortage of around 40%. Despite this, the majority of women still received continuous care from midwives—an achievement that deserves recognition. 3. What positive findings are highlighted in the report? • 95.2% of LMCs were midwives. • 91.5% of pregnant women were registered with an LMC. • 74% received full continuity of care from a single midwife across antenatal, birth, and postnatal care. • 89% of clients who registered with an LMC midwife received all care modules. • 93.3% of women received labour care from a midwife they had met during pregnancy. These figures are especially impressive given the workforce strain at the time. 4. Does the report show problems with access to care? Yes, but the issue is more nuanced than the framing suggests. About 8.2% of birthing women in 2022 didn't access an LMC during pregnancy. This access issue was not related to rurality, but was strongly linked to ethnicity and concentrated in a few districts: Auckland, Counties Manukau, Hutt Valley, and Marlborough. The report is not able to clarify the reasons people did not receive LMC midwifery care. 5. Is continuity of care still the standard in NZ? Yes. Despite significant system pressure, three out of four women received complete care from a single LMC midwife. Even where more than one midwife was involved, most women still received all modules of care (antenatal, birth, postnatal), showing the commitment of midwives to providing wraparound support. 6. What does the report say about postnatal care models? The report found that 10% of midwives claimed only for postnatal care, mostly in Auckland and Hutt Valley. This indicates that 90% of midwives continued to offer care across the full maternity spectrum. While some practice models split care stages, continuity remains a key feature of most midwifery practice. 7. Were there any issues with the report's data or analysis? Yes. The analysis combines data from two different sources, one of which (MAT) appears to cover only five months and ends in December. This could skew results, especially as women due over the Christmas period may be less likely to have access to full continuity. Some statistical methods and definitions (e.g. what constitutes a change of LMC) are also unclear, which may impact interpretation. 8. What are the areas for improvement? The report reveals: • Ethnic inequities in access to LMC continuity of care. • Regional variations, particularly in urban centres under workforce strain. • Opportunities to improve postnatal continuity and reduce care fragmentation. These findings point to the need for targeted, equity-focused investment to ensure improved access to the optimal model of care. 9. What does the College of Midwives recommend? We are calling for: • Sustainable investment in the midwifery workforce to ensure consistent coverage and continuity. • Targeted support in high-need areas to address inequity in access. • Funded navigational support for whānau needing to access maternity care • Funding and policy reform to protect and strengthen continuity of care models. • Recognition of the resilience and professionalism of midwives, who continue to deliver high-quality care even under pressure.
Scoop
8 hours ago
- Scoop
Opportunities Identified To Strengthen Equitable Access To Midwifery Continuity Of Care
Press Release – NZ College Of Midwives The Kahu Taurima policy work being undertaken by Health NZ offers a critical opportunity to reimagine maternity funding and workforce strategies, says Alison Eddy, CE of the College of Midwives. A new analysis commissioned by Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, Analysis of claims under the Primary Maternity Services Notice, reinforces the vital role of the midwifery lead maternity carer (LMC) model of care in delivering quality maternity care. The report recognises that continuity of care is the standard that all pregnant women, gender diverse people and their whānau should be able to access and shows that three quarters of women receive care from an LMC across the full course of pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period. The findings provide strong evidence for Health NZ to invest in strengthening and supporting the LMC model to ensure equitable access for whānau who don't currently receive full continuity of care. The analysis of 2022 maternity care data shows that 91.5% of women registered with an LMC in pregnancy and over 95% of LMCs are midwives. This highlights LMC midwives' commitment to meet communities' needs despite a 40% workforce shortage at that time. However, the data also highlights inequity of access to midwifery care, driven by significant workforce shortages in Auckland, Counties Manukau, and Hutt Valley. These shortages disproportionately affect Māori, Pacific, Indian, and MELAA families. The College has long been calling for targeted investment to expand access to midwifery continuity of care and to establish navigational support to register with a midwife in pregnancy. This report provides clear data supporting that call — especially in regions facing chronic midwife shortages and among communities that lack equitable access to care. 'The Kahu Taurima policy work being undertaken by Health NZ offers a critical opportunity to reimagine maternity funding and workforce strategies,' says Alison Eddy, CE of the College of Midwives. 'We have strong evidence and a dedicated midwifery workforce. Now is the time to back our maternity system with the investment it needs to deliver equitable access to continuity of care for all.' Additional information Analysis of Claims under the Primary Maternity Services Notice 1. What is this report about? The report analyses payment data under the Primary Maternity Services Notice to understand how maternity care was accessed and provided in 2022. It focuses particularly on continuity of care provided by Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs), most of whom are midwives. 2. Why was 2022 such a significant year for midwifery? In 2022, midwifery was the most acutely understaffed health profession in Aotearoa, with a documented workforce shortage of around 40%. Despite this, the majority of women still received continuous care from midwives—an achievement that deserves recognition. 3. What positive findings are highlighted in the report? • 95.2% of LMCs were midwives. • 91.5% of pregnant women were registered with an LMC. • 74% received full continuity of care from a single midwife across antenatal, birth, and postnatal care. • 89% of clients who registered with an LMC midwife received all care modules. • 93.3% of women received labour care from a midwife they had met during pregnancy. These figures are especially impressive given the workforce strain at the time. 4. Does the report show problems with access to care? Yes, but the issue is more nuanced than the framing suggests. About 8.2% of birthing women in 2022 didn't access an LMC during pregnancy. This access issue was not related to rurality, but was strongly linked to ethnicity and concentrated in a few districts: Auckland, Counties Manukau, Hutt Valley, and Marlborough. The report is not able to clarify the reasons people did not receive LMC midwifery care. 5. Is continuity of care still the standard in NZ? Yes. Despite significant system pressure, three out of four women received complete care from a single LMC midwife. Even where more than one midwife was involved, most women still received all modules of care (antenatal, birth, postnatal), showing the commitment of midwives to providing wraparound support. 6. What does the report say about postnatal care models? The report found that 10% of midwives claimed only for postnatal care, mostly in Auckland and Hutt Valley. This indicates that 90% of midwives continued to offer care across the full maternity spectrum. While some practice models split care stages, continuity remains a key feature of most midwifery practice. 7. Were there any issues with the report's data or analysis? Yes. The analysis combines data from two different sources, one of which (MAT) appears to cover only five months and ends in December. This could skew results, especially as women due over the Christmas period may be less likely to have access to full continuity. Some statistical methods and definitions (e.g. what constitutes a change of LMC) are also unclear, which may impact interpretation. 8. What are the areas for improvement? The report reveals: • Ethnic inequities in access to LMC continuity of care. • Regional variations, particularly in urban centres under workforce strain. • Opportunities to improve postnatal continuity and reduce care fragmentation. These findings point to the need for targeted, equity-focused investment to ensure improved access to the optimal model of care. 9. What does the College of Midwives recommend? We are calling for: • Sustainable investment in the midwifery workforce to ensure consistent coverage and continuity. • Targeted support in high-need areas to address inequity in access. • Funded navigational support for whānau needing to access maternity care • Funding and policy reform to protect and strengthen continuity of care models. • Recognition of the resilience and professionalism of midwives, who continue to deliver high-quality care even under pressure.
