Since the very beginning of the epidemic, the HIV response has been centred on human rights, equity and communities, the very foundations upon which universal health coverage has been built. As the HIV epidemic has evolved over the years, it has been the most vulnerable, marginalized communities and individuals that have been disproportionately affected. As early as the 1980s populations at greatest risk of, and people living with, HIV argued that communities must be at the centre of any response if the threat of HIV is to be overcome. Soon it became evident that the meaningful involvement of those communities was not only a moral imperative but also constituted good public health practice; public health measures could reach those populations and locations most affected, improve service uptake and efficiencies, achieve equitable coverage and result in greater and more sustained impact. The HIV response has played a critical role in transforming public health, and in turn h...
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