Open AccessHow should HIV resources be allocated? Lessons learnt from applying Optima HIV in 23 countries
Author(s) -
Stuart Robyn M,
Grobicki Laura,
HaghparastBidgoli Hassan,
PanovskaGriffiths Jasmina,
Skordis Jolene,
Keiser Olivia,
Estill Janne,
Baranczuk Zofia,
Kelly Sherrie L,
Reporter Iyanoosh,
Kedziora David J,
Shattock Andrew J,
Petravic Janka,
Hussain S Azfar,
Grantham Kelsey L,
Gray Richard T,
Yap Xiao F,
MartinHughes Rowan,
Benedikt Clemens J,
FraserHurt Nicole,
Masaki Emiko,
Wilson David J,
Gorgens Marelize,
Mziray Elizabeth,
Cheikh Nejma,
Shubber Zara,
Kerr Cliff C,
Wilson David P
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of the international aids society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.724
H-Index - 62
ISSN - 1758-2652
DOI - 10.1002/jia2.25097
Subject(s) - allocative efficiency , context (archaeology) , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , public health , medicine , economic growth , environmental health , public economics , virology , economics , geography , neoclassical economics , nursing , archaeology
With limited funds available, meeting global health targets requires countries to both mobilize and prioritize their health spending. Within this context, countries have recognized the importance of allocating funds for HIV as efficiently as possible to maximize impact. Over the past six years, the governments of 23 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America have used the Optima HIV tool to estimate the optimal allocation of HIV resources. Methods Each study commenced with a request by the national government for technical assistance in conducting an HIV allocative efficiency study using Optima HIV . Each study team validated the required data, calibrated the Optima HIV epidemic model to produce HIV epidemic projections, agreed on cost functions for interventions, and used the model to calculate the optimal allocation of available funds to best address national strategic plan targets. From a review and analysis of these 23 country studies, we extract common themes around the optimal allocation of HIV funding in different epidemiological contexts. Results and discussion The optimal distribution of HIV resources depends on the amount of funding available and the characteristics of each country's epidemic, response and targets. Universally, the modelling results indicated that scaling up treatment coverage is an efficient use of resources. There is scope for efficiency gains by targeting the HIV response towards the populations and geographical regions where HIV incidence is highest. Across a range of countries, the model results indicate that a more efficient allocation of HIV resources could reduce cumulative new HIV infections by an average of 18% over the years to 2020 and 25% over the years to 2030, along with an approximately 25% reduction in deaths for both timelines. However, in most countries this would still not be sufficient to meet the targets of the national strategic plan, with modelling results indicating that budget increases of up to 185% would be required. Conclusions Greater epidemiological impact would be possible through better targeting of existing resources, but additional resources would still be required to meet targets. Allocative efficiency models have proven valuable in improving the HIV planning and budgeting process.