AHF at AIDS 2026 Conference: AIDS Isn't Over­—and Syphilis Is Surging

RIO DE JANEIRO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As a global leader in HIV and STI prevention and treatment, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is once again bringing a bold and provocative message to the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, being held in person and virtually July 26-31. The risk and urgency of skyrocketing syphilis rates will be front and center at AHF's conference booth to remind everyone of the importance of regular check-ups for syphilis.

While HIV/AIDS remains at the forefront of AHF’s mission, rising syphilis rates globally have become a public health crisis that AHF is addressing with the launch of its global “Syphilis Is Serious: It’s Curable. Get Tested.” campaign. AHF's compelling campaign booth artwork spotlights an often asymptomatic STI that is preventable and curable, yet continues to spread at an alarming rate, including congenital syphilis, which can have devastating outcomes for mothers and babies, and the tertiary (latent) phase of syphilis that has no visible symptoms and can cause severe long-term damage to the brain, heart, and other organs.

AHF will also host three engaging fireside chats at its booth during the conference, focusing on urgent challenges in the global HIV, syphilis, and tuberculosis responses:

WHAT	Fireside Chat – Beyond Silos: Integrating HIV and Syphilis Services in Latin America   Syphilis, including congenital and gestational syphilis, continues to rise across Latin America, while HIV and syphilis co-infection remains common among people seeking STI services. This session will explore practical strategies to better integrate HIV and STI services, strengthen prevention and testing, improve coordination across health systems and communities, and identify where faster action is urgently needed.
WHEN	Tuesday, July 28 at 2:00 p.m. BRT
WHERE	AIDS 2026 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – AHF Booth #301
WHO	Pâmela Gaspar (Brazil), General Coordinator for the Surveillance of STIs, Ministry of Health, Brazil Dr. Adele Schwartz Benzaken (Brazil), Senior Global Medical Director, AHF Dr. Miguel Pedrola (Argentina), Country Program Manager, AHF Argentina and Scientific Director, AHF Latin America & the Caribbean Moderator: Guillermina Alaniz (Argentina), Director of Global Advocacy & Policy, AHF

AND

WHAT	Fireside Chat – Keeping People Connected to HIV Care: What Actually Works   Interruptions in HIV treatment are often driven by social, institutional, and mental health barriers that push people out of care. This session will examine practical, people-centered strategies to improve retention and re-engagement, highlighting real-world approaches to better support people living with HIV and reduce preventable loss to follow-up.
WHEN	Wednesday, July 29 at 2:00 p.m. BRT
WHERE	AIDS 2026 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – AHF Booth #301
WHO	Dr. Omar Sued, Regional Advisor for HIV Care and Treatment, PAHO Dr. Logandran Naidoo (South Africa), National Medical Director, AHF South Africa Kim Heang Ung (Cambodia), Regional Testing and Prevention Program Manager, AHF Asia Moderator: Daniel Reijer (Netherlands), Bureau Chief, AHF Europe

AND

WHAT	Fireside Chat – Closing the Gap: Expanding TB Preventive Therapy for PLHIV   TB is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV despite effective prevention and treatment tools. Tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) can greatly reduce illness and mortality, yet coverage across Latin America remains low. This session will focus on strategies to expand TPT access, address implementation gaps, and turn policy into broader action and impact.
WHEN	Thursday, July 30 at 2:00 p.m. BRT
WHERE	AIDS 2026 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – AHF Booth #301
WHO	Dr. Antonio Flores (Brazil/South Africa), SAMU Senior HIV/TB Advisor, MSF Dr. Jan van den Hombergh (Netherlands), Director of Global Quality Management, AHF Renato Chuster (Brazil), Senior Quality Data Manager, AHF Moderator: Guillermina Alaniz (Argentina), Director of Global Advocacy & Policy, AHF

“HIV/AIDS is, and always will be, at the heart of AHF’s mission—but we cannot ignore a syphilis epidemic that is growing in plain sight,” said Dr. Adele Schwartz Benzaken, Senior Global Medical Director at AHF. “Syphilis is curable, yet it often has no symptoms and goes undetected, allowing infections to spread and cause serious health complications. By bringing our ‘Syphilis Is Serious’ campaign to AIDS 2026, we’re urging governments, health systems, and communities to treat rising syphilis rates with the urgency they demand. Expand testing and education, integrate STI services into HIV care, and make sexual health screenings routine.”

AHF will also present more than a dozen abstracts at IAS 2026, showcasing its global efforts to advance HIV prevention, treatment, and advocacy through innovative, community-driven approaches. Research spans re-engagement in care, advanced HIV disease, PrEP, cervical cancer screening, syphilis trends, health financing, and strategies to reduce stigma and other structural barriers affecting vulnerable populations. These studies reflect AHF's commitment to expanding equitable, evidence-based HIV services and improving health outcomes worldwide.

AIDS 2026 in Rio de Janeiro is open to all in-person and virtual conference registrants. Visit the official website for more information.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 3 million people across 50 countries, including the U.S. and in Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. In January 2025, AHF received the MLK, Jr. Social Justice Award, The King Center’s highest recognition for an organization leading work in the social justice arena. To learn more about AHF, visit us online at AIDShealth.org, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.