Fast-Track Cities: striving to end urban HIV epidemics by 2030

Abstract

Purpose of review: To provide a summary of progress achieved, lessons learned, and best practices employed in select Fast-Track Cities striving to attain and surpass the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets.

Recent findings: The 90-90-90 targets have served as a catalyst to galvanize political, programmatic, and funding support for urban HIV responses, while prompting increased community engagement. More than 300 cities and municipalities have joined the Fast-Track Cities network, pledging to attain and surpass the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. One city has officially surpassed the 95-95-95 targets; four cities have surpassed the 90-90-90 targets; and 34 cities have achieved one or more of the 90 targets. Across the Fast-Track Cities network, upward trends have been recorded in numerous cities and municipalities using data-driven approaches to close HIV care continuum gaps through data-driven implementation planning.

Summary: The Fast-Track Cities initiative has served as a catalyst for leveraging accelerated and optimized urban HIV responses to scale up HIV diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression. Key to attaining and surpassing the 90-90-90 targets is a 'calculus for success' that includes political will, public health leadership, data-driven implementation planning, and equity-based interventions facilitated by active engagement with affected communities, notably people living with HIV.