Announcing the Call for 2016 AVAC Advocacy Fellows

Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions(ATN) Research Program Grants(U19)

The Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN), with the mission to reduce new HIV infections among at-risk youth and improve retention across the HIV care continuum among HIV-infected adolescents and young adults in the United States, released Notices of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity. The two notices are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HD-15-017.html and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HD-15-018.html.

South African AIDS Activists Demand PrEP Now

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa — South African advocates call for Truvada as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection to be made available to all those who need it now. Truvada as PrEP is an effective and safe medication that has been proven to reduce the risk of HIV infection for all populations. Clinical trials from a multitude of respected institutions and physicians have shown that PrEP works when taken as directed.

As the 7th SA AIDS conference gets underway in Durban, a diverse collection of advocates have assembled to call on the South African Medicines Control Council (MCC) to immediately approve the use of Truvada PrEP. PrEP must be made available and accessible to South Africans who are at heightened risk of infection, and would benefit from an additional tool to prevent HIV. South Africa is the most impacted country by HIV in scope and scale. To turn around our epidemic, South African young women and girls, gay men, sex workers, and people who use drugs need PrEP as an additional HIV prevention option.

We, South African advocates, are alarmed to see the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an American-based chain clinic and pharmacy that has led the charge in PrEP Denialism, participate at the Durban Aids Conference. The AHF has consistently opposed PrEP using faulty science and fear mongering and has failed to accept extensive research that has clearly and repeatedly shown PrEP to be safe and efficacious. South Africa can only allow evidence-based health policy and implementation. Denialism thrown in the face of facts and research can never be allowed again. As South Africans, we know too well the human cost of misinformation about HIV and of waiting too long to implement life-saving, evidence-based HIV interventions.

We call on the MCC of South Africa and the Department of Health to prioritize enabling access to this HIV prevention medication. Over 1,200 infections occur in South Africa each and every month. It is imperative that we use every option available to reduce new HIV infections, thereby reducing the number of people who will spend their lives on ARVs.

For more information please contact:

Federal HIV Research Funding is in Jeopardy!

UPDATE June 15: Science Speaks has the latest. 679 clinicians and researchers as well as 416 organizations signed on!

(This call for organizational sign-on ws sent on behalf of AVAC, HIVMA and the FAPP Research Working Group)

As the US Congress begins work on the FY16 Labor, HHS and Education appropriation measures, we are hearing that there is a possible agreement in the House of Representatives to cut 10-20 percent of the HIV research funding allocation for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This is a time to prioritize, not cut HIV/AIDS research. We cannot lose sight of the sobering reality that there remain over one million people living with HIV in the US, and almost 50,000 Americans become newly infected every year.

Robust funding of research into diseases endemic to the United States must be supported, but it is unwise and misguided to allocate research dollars simply on the basis of disease burden in the US. Research investment also must follow scientific opportunity to have the greatest impact and the need to halt the spread of deadly infectious diseases must be a priority.

Take action to stop these devastating cuts by signing your organization onto an “open letter to Congress.” Currently 77+ organizations have signed on—however, the threat is very real, and we need as large a show of support as possible. Now is a critical time for the HIV/AIDS community to stand together in support of sustaining HIV/AIDS research dollars.

Click here to sign your organization onto the letter.

Announcing the Call for 2016 Advocacy Fellows

AVAC is pleased to announce the call for 2016 Advocacy Fellows.

This update provides information on the Advocacy Fellows program, the application process, link to a short informational video and details on an upcoming informational call for interested applicants to be held on Wednesday, 8 July 2015.

The submission deadline for Advocacy Fellows applications is Monday, 10 August 2015.

Download application materials at www.avac.org/fellows-application-materials.

About the Program
The goal of AVAC’s Advocacy Fellows program is to expand the capacity of advocates and organizations to monitor, support and help shape biomedical HIV prevention research and implementation of proven interventions worldwide. The program is guided by AVAC’s conviction that effective and sustainable advocacy grows out of work that reflects organizational and individual interests, priorities and partnerships.

The Advocacy Fellows program provides support to emerging and mid-career advocates to design and implement advocacy projects focused on biomedical HIV prevention research and implementation activities in their countries and communities. These projects are designed to addresses locally identified gaps and priorities. Fellows receive training, full-time financial support and technical assistance to plan and implement a targeted one-year project within host organizations working in HIV/AIDS and/or advocacy. Host organizations are critical partners in the program and Fellows projects can be an opportunity for an organization to further develop its own work in this field.

The Fellows program focuses on low- and middle-income countries where clinical research on HIV vaccines, microbicides, multi-purpose prevention technologies, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and cure is planned or ongoing and/or where there is implementation or plans for rollout for newer proven interventions such as voluntary medical male circumcision, PrEP, early treatment, high impact combination prevention packages that combine biomedical strategies for population impact, and where the links between sexual and reproductive health and HIV risk for women are being studied.

HIV Prevention Research Advocacy Fellows are:

  • Emerging or mid-career community leaders and advocates involved or interested in advocacy around biomedical HIV prevention research and implementation.
  • Individuals with some experience or education in the areas of HIV and AIDS, public health, medicine, international development, women’s rights, communications, and/or advocacy with key populations, such as sex workers, gay men, other men who have sex with men and transgender women and people who inject drugs.
  • Based in low- and middle-income countries where biomedical HIV prevention clinical research is planned and/or where implementation of combination prevention packages is planned, ongoing or emerging.
  • Able to collaborate with English-speaking mentors.

Please visit www.avac.org/pxrd to identify countries where research and implementation is ongoing or planned and to learn more about the research.

Learn More
Prospective applicants or host organizations who want to learn more about this program or have questions about the application process are encouraged to:

If you have any questions about the Fellows program or the application process, please email [email protected].

Applications are due by MONDAY, 10 AUGUST 2015.

Please share this information with your partners, and we look forward to receiving your application!

Advocacy in Action at SA AIDS 2015

The seventh South African AIDS Conference (SA AIDS) takes place 9-12 June at the International Conference Center in Durban, South Africa. Featured below are details on select events related to HIV prevention research and implementation, how to meet the AVAC team and partners at the conference and more!

SA AIDS is a biennial meeting, serving as the primary opportunity to discuss South Africa’s HIV/AIDS epidemic. This year’s conference theme is Reflection, Refocus and Renewal.

It is a crucial time for biomedical HIV prevention research and rollout in South Africa. Please see our updated map and tables listing all biomedical HIV prevention studies recently completed, currently ongoing or planned in South Africa.

SA AIDS 2015 will feature many relevant presentations and events. AVAC and partners have pulled together a full roadmap. Below, we’ve highlighted a few key sessions, as well as ways to link with AVAC and other advocates—both at SA AIDS and from afar.

Download the roadmap here (PDF, XLS).

  • Women’s Networking Zone: AVAC is partnering with The Centre for Communication Impact (formerly JHHESA) in the Women’s Networking Zone. We’ll host two skills building workshops on HIV prevention research basics, covering ARV-based prevention on Wednesday, 10 June 2015, 13:30-14:30 and vaccines and cure on Thursday, 11 June, 11:30-12:30. On Thursday at 16:30-17:30, we will also host a discussion on the Global Village Main Stage with young women about what prevention means to them.
  • Results to Roll-out—Accelerating Approvals and Access of Biomedical Products after Clinical Trial Results: This symposium, co-chaired by WRHI and AVAC, will discuss the latest research on strategies of delivering new products to people who need them. It will take place Wednesday, 10 June, 14:00-15:30 in Hall 4.
  • Hormonal Contraceptives and HIV—Evidence, Expanding the Method Mix and ECHO: This roundtable discussion will explore current reproductive health options in South Africa, gaps in evidence about their link to HIV risk and plans for the future. It will take place Wednesday, 10 June, 16:00-17:30 in Hall 8A.
  • Not Just for Research Studies: Rolling Out Good Participatory Practice across Projects Implementation Programmes This Skills Building Workshop will provide an overview of GPP principles, facilitate debate around GPP concepts and examine how GPP can be adapted and utilised for improving stakeholder engagement of implementation projects and programmes. It will take place on Thursday, 11 June, 14:00-15:30 in Hall 10.

You can also meet the AVAC team, learn about the Advocacy Fellows Program and pick up copies of our materials at Stand A13 in the Women’s Networking Zone. There will also be a special information session on the Fellows Program and how to apply.

As always, AVAC will also be posting live updates from the conference on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Follow the conference on Twitter @SAAIDS2015 and using the hashtag #SAAIDS2015.

If you know of other related events, please be in touch so we can include them on the roadmap.

PrEP Funding Opportunity Announcement

Through the Corporate Grants program, Gilead is looking to support efforts of community-based organizations, public health entities and similar umbrella organizations focused on high-risk populations to educate their constituents and healthcare providers about the role of PrEP as part of comprehensive HIV prevention. Gilead will consider a wide range of ideas that reach diverse geographic locations within the United States.

 

Find out more by visiting:  http://hivdatf.org/2015/06/02/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep-for-hiv-prevention-funding-opportunity-announcement/

HIV Lifecycle

ViiV Healthcare, a global specialist HIV company dedicated to delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV, released a new video that illustrates the HIV lifecycle. The short, animated video takes the viewer through HIV infection of a host cell, the inter-cellular replication process and maturation of the virus. To view the video, click here.

HIV 2015: Using Phylogenetics to Enhance the HIV Response

Presented by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Discussion Group at the New York Academy of Sciences, HIV 2015: Using Phylogenetics to Enhance the HIV Response will take place on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at The New York Academy of Sciences.

Learn moer about the event here: http://www.nyas.org/Events/Detail.aspx?cid=1db34692-7883-4ea0-9231-39386…

New START Data Fill in When to Start ART, Now the Question is How

New data from a trial looking at the individual health benefits of starting those living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at CD4 cell counts above 350 were released today. The data, from a trial known as START, are further evidence in support of the expansion of ART access worldwide. The data from START should also start the clock on even more substantial engagement with the types of ART programs that are most likely to help people make informed choices to begin and remain on life-saving treatment.

It’s now been nearly four years since the release of trial data showing that people living with HIV who started ART at CD4 cell counts between 350 and 500 were significantly less likely to transmit HIV to their sexual partners, compared with people who started according to national guidelines. That trial—known as HPTN 052—may be the single most important factor behind today’s push to use ART to end the epidemic.

In case you’ve been pre-occupied with other parts of the AIDS response like, for example, the war on drug users in Russia or the imperiled VMMC programs in Africa, see UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 campaign for the frontline example of the ART-to-end-AIDS message. AVAC and other allies have been working with UNAIDS, PEPFAR and governments to try to ensure that this message is accurately conveyed and understood as encompassing prevention beyond ART—including saturation-level coverage of VMMC, targeted PrEP, harm reduction and male and female condoms. For more on this work—and why prevention is “on the line” see our most recent Report.

In the wake of early data from HPTN 052, people living with HIV and their allies were quick to point out that the strongest evidence this trial provided was about the prevention benefit of starting ART “early” (i.e., before national guidelines). HPTN 052 did find that earlier initiation had clinical benefits for the individual, including delaying the time to AIDS events, death and tuberculosis. But for many advocates and activists, these data were not definitive and that a real answer would have to come from the START trial, which was a randomized investigation of exactly this question: does immediate initiation of ART improve individual health for people living with HIV?

Today the answer came in, early, and with resounding clarity: Yes.

The START trial, which enrolled 4,685 people at 215 sites in 35 countries (twenty-seven percent of the participants are women, and approximately half are gay men) looked at rates of AIDS, and serious AIDS-defining illness or death in people with CD4 cell counts above 500 who started ART on enrollment in START, versus those participants who also had CD4 cell counts above 500 and delayed treatment until the initiation criteria dictated by the clinical guidelines in their countries.

At a scheduled interim review of the data, the trial’s Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) found compelling evidence that the benefits of starting antiretroviral treatment immediately at CD4 cell counts above 500 cells/mm3 outweigh the risks. This conclusion was based on the fact that, over an average follow-up period of three years, the risk of AIDS, other serious illnesses or death was reduced by 53 percent among those in the “early” treatment group versus those who started treatment according to national guidelines.

START effectively validates the direction that the WHO’s Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection had begun to take—initiation regardless of CD4 cell count in many populations, including pregnant women, children under the age of five, and people in serodiscordant couples. And it may settle some concerns about whether earlier initiation was good for the person living with HIV—or just for his or her sexual partners and/or potential children.

But it’s critical to recognize that figuring out when to start is only part of the puzzle. The question of how to start is equally critical and isn’t going to be settled by any randomized trial. The how concerns the environment in which individuals are offered treatment, the services that are part of that offer—peer support, community-based refills, non-biased provider care, among others—and the ways that the decision to start is framed. Even with clinical and public health benefits, ART may not be for everyone as soon as they are diagnosed. Issues with disclosure exist everywhere and are compounded in places where laws criminalizing HIV are on the books.

At a time when funding for civil society organizations is dropping everywhere—and when some PEPFAR country programs are placing funding for community engagement as “near- or non-core” (pieces of USG jargon that set priority for PEPFAR funding) —and when UNAIDS has yet to step forward with staunch, straightforward condemnation of rights-violating legislation and hate speech by politicians, this “How?” question is far from resolved.

That’s why START has to be welcomed for what it is—a clear answer to a critical question. And also understood for what it is not—an answer to the urgent challenge of how best to truly seek to end the epidemic with comprehensive prevention programs that include, but are not restricted to, delivering ART so that everyone who wants it can start it, stay on it, achieve virologic suppression and, more importantly, a life lived with health, dignity and joy.