February 2, 2023
We are only a month into the New Year and so much has happened in HIV prevention. Below are links to important resources on the latest developments.
Opinion Piece: The Fight to Decriminalize Sex Work in South Africa
South Africa-based AVAC Fellow, Liyema Somnono published an opinion piece in Health-e News, Decriminalization of sex work can help prevent HIV, which unpacks the reasons for reforming South Africa’s outdated legislation that criminalizes “sex work” and legitimizing and recognizing sex work as work. AVAC’s Cindra Feuer then authored a blog post sharing AVAC’s support of possible reform: Decriminalization of Sex Work Prevents HIV: South Africa could overturn its outdated laws.
Publication: New Lancet HIV Publication Evaluates the Future of Injectable CAB for PrEP
The HIV Modelling Consortium along with representatives of AVAC and a number of partners recently published modelling study in The Lancet HIV. The new study, Predicted effects of the introduction of long-acting injectable cabotegravir pre-exposure prophylaxis in sub-Saharan Africa: a modelling study here, analyzes the potential benefits and risks from scaling up CAB for PrEP, with important implications for advocacy.
Mosaico Trial and What’s Next in HIV Vaccine Research
AVAC co-hosted with the HVTN the webinar, Where Are We Now and What’s Next in HIV Vaccine R&D. A link to the recording is here. On the webinar, the group shared details about the Mosaico HIV vaccine trial, which found no efficacy, including characteristics of the 3,800 participants, Mosaico’s approach to its PrEP, and community input throughout the trial. For more insights, check out these articles: The Only Late-Stage HIV Vaccine Study (Mosaico) Just Tanked. What’s Next? in The Body and Why inventing a vaccine for AIDS is tougher than for COVID in NPR’s Goats and Soda.
Webinar: Trans Inclusion and TG Scorecard
The Choice Agenda hosted its first webinar of 2023, Trans Inclusion: Charting HIV Research into the Future: A Manifesto and Scorecard for Advocates and Researchers with Leigh Ann van der Merwe, Brian Minalga, and AVAC’s own Cindra Feuer joined by over 80+ participants. Panelists unpacked the No Data No More manifesto and discussed preliminary findings from the TG scorecard, which looked at transgender representation in clinical trials over time. Watch the full recording of the webinar and check out the slides and resources here.
P.S. As a reminder, there are three upcoming webinars this month:
• The Power Of PrEP: Pleasure and Prevention In The Black Community on Tuesday, February 7 at 2:00 PM ET from the PrEP in Black America Coalition on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• Ready, Set, CROI 2023 – Prepare for the 30th Year of CROI on Monday, February 13 at 9:00 AM ET / 2:00 PM GMT
• Decolonizing Global Public Health – What Will it Take to Dismantle Racism and White Supremacy? on Thursday, February 16 at 9:00am ET / 2:00 pm GMT