Background

ATHENA

SHM was founded as a result of the successful AIDS Therapy Evaluation in the Netherlands project (ATHENA). The reason for this project was the introduction of the combination therapy in 1996, prescribed to a large number of HIV patients. At that time, the new HIV inhibitors had swiftly been made available by the then Minister of Health, fearing that the combination therapy would fail because of drug resistance. Therefore, a large research study was conducted from 1998 to 2000 to examine the effects of early adoption, the ATHENA cohort study. 

Dramatically positive effects

The ATHENA-project among 3600 HIV-infected patients proved to be highly successful. The combination therapy showed dramatically positive effects: fewer people contracted AIDS, fewer people died from AIDS. In addition, regular treatment combined with combination therapy proved to be cost-effective. This research was continued and extended to include all HIV-infected persons leading to the foundation of SHM in 2001. As of 2002, SHM is officially charged by the Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport to monitor the HIV epidemic and the quality of HIV care in the Netherlands. Together with the HIV treatment centres, SHM is contributing to improving the quality of HIV care in the Netherlands. 

 
 

© Stichting HIV Monitoring | Disclaimer | Colofon

Stichting HIV Monitoring

SHM, the Dutch HIV monitoring foundation, makes an important and necessary contribution to healthcare for HIV-infected people living in the Netherlands. Through the collection and maintenance of anonymous data from HIV-patients throughout the country, our work contributes significantly to the knowledge of HIV and enables treating physicians to assess and improve patient care. Our yearly monitoring report provides valuable input for the development of HIV care and prevention policies within the Netherlands and the EU.