Health and Human Rights News
News to 7 August 2026
AIDS 2026: Decades of progress threatened
Throughout last week’s AIDS 2026 conference there was an inescapable theme of continuing, and escalating, threats facing key populations, including criminalization, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and funding disruptions. The result: decades of HIV progress undermined and imperiled, writes HHR editor-in-chief Joseph Amon.
AIDS 2026: Need to build a strong pro-rights movement
Urging everyone working to promote the rights of all people with HIV to stop working in siloes, Edwin Bernard of the HIV Justice Movement wrote in HHR: “The anti-rights movement invests in networks, long-term relationships, shared strategies, and patient coalition-building. We need to become equally serious about investing in the infrastructure of solidarity… Our greatest challenge is no longer simply defending individual rights. It is building a movement capable of defending them together.”
AIDS 2026: Guidance on HIV decriminalisation risk
The HIV Justice Network launched Guidance on Good Practices in HIV Decriminalisation as “a practical resource that we hope communities, advocates, lawyers, judges, policymakers and public health officials will actually use.” Although more than 80 countries continue to maintain HIV-specific criminal laws and prosecutions also occur under general criminal laws, the Guidance reflects growing evidence that communities can successfully challenge punitive approaches, said Edwin Bernard at AIDS 2026.
AIDS 2026: US mislabelled map of Africa speaks to other failures
When a US state department official displayed a map of Africa with country names mislabelled, it reflected the same lack of understanding and care that influences budget cuts, wrote Kenneth Ngure (president of the International Aids Society) in the Guardian. A report from UNAids and KFF showed donor government funding for the global HIV response fell 25% in 2025 from the previous year, a shift “entirely due to a steep decline in US support.”
Former health leaders oppose US plan to stop PAHO funding
The Trump administration’s plan to stop funding the Pan American Health Organization will leave America more vulnerable to infectious disease threats, more than 100 US leaders including former health secretaries, directors of health agencies, Pentagon and White House officials and surgeons general, warned in an open letter. Founded in 1902, PAHO is supported by contributions from its 35 member countries, including the States which owes nearly $135 million in overdue fees since late 2024, reported the New York Times.
WHO updates advice on heat and health
The World Health Organization is warning that the number of people exposed to extreme heat is growing exponentially due to climate change in all world regions. Heat-related mortality for people over 65 years of age increased by approximately 85% between 2000–2004 and 2017–2021, and between 2000–2019 there were 489 000 heat-related deaths occur each year, with 45% of these in Asia and 36% in Europe.
Extreme heat is a political and human rights failure
Responding to extreme heat related weather events around the globe, including widespread wildfires, drought and floods, Amnesty International said: “Extreme heat is not just a weather event. This heat is political. It is where climate change driven by corporate greed and political failure collides with people’s rights, lives and livelihoods. It is a human rights emergency that threatens the rights to life, health, housing, water and sanitation, food, education, and a healthy environment.”
Ebola expanding beyond capacity to respond
The World Health Organization reports that the Ebola outbreak is expanding beyond the capacity to respond, and more support is needed. As of 1 August, there have been 3,748 confirmed cases, including 1,657 confirmed deaths. WHO said although there is promising progress, there were still no proven safe and efficacious treatment, prophylaxis, or vaccination options for the Ebola Bundibugyo virus.
Breastfeeding rates improve with system support
Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week, UNICEF and WHO are calling on countries to continue the increased rates of breastfeeding, now at 47% globally for exclusive breastfeeding to six months. They urge states to strengthen health systems to provide quality breastfeeding support for mothers and newborns and to invest in paid maternity leave and supportive workplace policies.
Previous news bulletins