Populations & Programmes

The five pillars of HIV prevention address the priority populations and programmes for an accelerated response to the epidemic.

Pillar 1

Key Populations

Combination prevention and harm reduction packages for and with sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, transgender people and prisoners.

Pillar 2

Adolescent Girls & Young Women

Combination prevention packages in settings with high HIV incidence (based on differentiated, layered packages).

Pillar 3

Adolescent Boys & Men

Combination prevention packages in settings with high HIV incidence (including voluntary medical male circumcision and promoting access to testing and treatment).

Pillar 4

Condom Programming

Promotion and distribution of male and female condoms as well as lubricants.

Pillar 5

ARV-based Prevention

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis, treatment as prevention including for elimination of vertical transmission.

Pillars 1–3 describe people-centred prevention services that use a combination of evidence-based interventions to serve key populations everywhere and adolescents and young adults in areas with high rates of HIV. Condoms (Pillar 4) and antiretroviral-based prevention (Pillar 5) are high-impact tools for all populations in need of HIV prevention.