April 9, 2020
In this unprecedented time, AVAC has been urgently gathering evidence-based information on COVID-19 and the research underway to treat or prevent it. We are sharing these resources with you today—scroll down to dig in immediately.
Great loss of life, misinformation, stigma, mistrust, failing political leadership and communities living in fear because of COVID-19 remind us of the beginning of the HIV epidemic. These are days that are painful to remember, but looking back also reminds us of how much we’ve learned – and what we now must do. We must bring those lessons to the global response to COVID-19.
The HIV community has a unique role to play. COVID-19 research is an essential, global priority. As HIV and global health advocates, we know that an inclusive, cooperative response is imperative to bring an end to this international crisis.
Use the resources below to stay informed and stay connected.
Advocacy in Action
- Sign-On Letter
Advocates Call for Ethical Research for COVID-19 Solutions
Advocates call for public messages based on evidence, ethical research and development, and equitable access to proven methods.
- AVAC Op-Ed in Science Speaks
AVAC’s Stacey Hannah, Director of Research Engagement, talks about how lessons from HIV can guide responses to COVID-19 that are innovative, effective and inclusive, and can help end the pandemic faster.
- Letter to the White House Task Force
Removing Political Interference from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, April 6
A coalition of community based public health policy, advocacy, research, and social service provider organizations call for immediate action from the White House Coronavirus Task Force to recommit, strengthen, and focus the United States government response to COVID-19.
- Coalition of African Advocates Issue a Call to Action
Call to Action: APHA/ICW-EA’s Call to African leaders to accelerate action on COVID-19
This statement calls on African leaders to prepare a response to COVID-19 that is sensitive to gender and the challenges of HIV… “so that emergency measure against one virus do not prompt an emergency with another.”
COVID and HIV Webinars
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Trials in Sub-Saharan Africa (April 9)
Sinead Delany-Moretlwe of Wits RHI, which is part of our Coalition to Accelerate & Support Prevention Research (CASPR), talks with community engagement practitioners from trial site communities across Africa on how HIV clinical trials are being affected by the global response to COVID 19. Download the recording.
- Pandemic Vaccine Development and Lessons for COVID-19 (April 2)
Mark Feinberg of IAVI and Helen Rees of Wits RHI talk about the role of Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and lessons for COVID-19 from Ebola and HIV vaccine development. Access the recording, listen to excerpts or read the transcript.
- Global Advocates’ Teleconference: COVID-19 & HIV update (March 23)
Carl Dieffenbach, NIH’s Director of the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) talks about how the response to HIV and COVID-19 impact each other. Lilian Mworeko of ICW-EA and Yvette Raphael of APHA explore an advocacy agenda for COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa. Download the recording.
Essential Resources
- Resources for Advocates
Regularly updated and curated list of sources on a range of issues related to COVID-19, including prevention and transmission, the research pipeline and country-specific resources.
- Research Pipeline: Ongoing Studies for the Treatment and Prevention of the COVID-19 Virus
The scientific community has accelerated development of COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and a potential vaccine. This table reflects a fast-changing field, with links to a number of resources available to track these developments.
- Research Process Basics
Tony Fauci, NIAID Director and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, provides a 5-minute tutorial on product development and the research process (excerpted from the March 26 White House briefing).
Have a resource to add or one you’d like to see? Please be in touch!
Together we can get out the facts, demand equitable access to interventions, advocate for ethical research grounded in Good Participatory Practice, and hold global leaders accountable. AVAC will continue to reach out and forge paths for joint action.