International AIDS conference starts in Amsterdam

A large international conference on the psycho-social aspects of HIV and AIDS starts in Amsterdam on Tuesday, Het Parool reports. This 12th edition of "AIDS Impact" will last 4 days and consists of more than 400 sessions, focusing on issues related to the prevention, treatment and healthcare surrounding HIV and AIDS. In these sessions international researchers will present the latest situation on various topics, ranging from the taboo on homosexuality in Africa to aging with HIV. A total of 47 countries are taking part in this conference, which was organized by GGD Amsterdam in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam. The conference is the forerunner of the large international AIDS conference in 2018, which will also be held in Amsterdam. The previous AIDS conference was held in Melbourne, Australia. A number of participants, including Dutch AIDS researcher Joep Lange, were killed in the disaster with flight MH17. A medical institute named for Joep Lange is planned to open in Amsterdam in the near future. The institute will focus on providing access to good health care to the poorest people in developing countries.