Avac Event

What Happens When the Next Pandemic Hits?

In today’s world of misinformation and geopolitical upheaval, are we more prepared or less prepared for the next pandemic than we were when COVID-19 hit?

Join the Center for Global Health Policy & Politics for a conversation with Bloomberg’s Global Health Editor, Jason Gale, former White House Global Health Security Coordinator Stephanie Psaki, and Senior Scholar and former USAID COVID-19 Vaccines Access Director Nina Schwalbe on the future of pandemics and global health.

Drawing on Gale’s award-winning reporting, the discussion will explore COVID’s enduring legacy and look ahead to what today’s environment of inequality, strained health systems, mental health challenges, and the rise of misinformation and anti-science narratives means for the future. Moderation by Professor Matthew Kavanagh and discussant remarks by Professor Rebecca Katz.

Avac Event

Dapivirine Ring: Giving Women Hope and Choice in HIV Prevention

The monthly Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR) is a critical option in the HIV prevention tool kit, being entirely woman controlled, discreet, and very safe and simple to implement.

This webinar highlighted ongoing market access activities to ensure women have access to the monthly DVR; key learnings from community and government engagement activities; the perspective of local advocates in the HIV prevention space; and provided updates on the development of the 3-month DVR, which promises to be a more convenient and cost-effective product. Join The Choice Agenda to learn more.

Speakers:

  • Diantha Pillay, IPM South Africa
  • Emily Dorman, Population Council
  • Yvette Raphael, Advocacy for Prevention of HIV and AIDS (APHA)
  • Chilufya Kasanda, Ascend Futures Foundation

Recording / Transcript / Slides / Resources

Avac Event

The Injectors of Tomorrow are Here Today

An important part of expanding PrEP access includes increasing the number of individuals who can deliver PrEP, particularly injectable PrEP, and the locations where PrEP can be administered and obtained. Join The Choice Agenda to hear from community health workers and pharmacists who are taking actions outside the box such as learning to inject, and moving PrEP out of clinics into homes, the street, and other places our communities want to engage.

Moderators:

  • Dr. Leandro Mena, Emory University
  • Parrish Brown, Whitman-Walker Health

Speakers:

  • Seth Gomez, Wellness Equity Alliance
  • April Henson, Legacy Community Health
  • Francois Venter, University of the Witwatersrand

Avac Event

The Future of HIV Prevention: A People’s Research Agenda for Speed, Scale and Equity

First developed in 2024 in partnership with global advocates and communities, the People’s Research Agenda sets out a people-centered framework for equitable and accelerated R&D and product introduction. The PRA tracks the science, shows where investments align—or fail to align—with community-defined priorities, and spotlights critical gaps in the pipeline of prevention options needed to meet the diverse realities of all populations.

  • Featured speaker Jeanne Marrazzo, CEO of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and AVAC board member.
  • We covered what the People’s Research Agenda tracks, why it matters, and the advocacy priorities that will shape the future of prevention R&D.

View Recording / Download Slides

Avac Event

The Science of HIV Cure: What communities need to know

Speakers shared the latest on research toward an HIV cure and how lessons from progress in pediatric cure research can inform the path forward.

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Avac Event

The Quest For An HIV Cure — Will It Be Discovered in Africa?

We explored what has been happening in terms of HIV cure research in Africa, and discussed opportunities to support more Africa-focused HIV cure research.

Moderator:
Anna Miti, The Choice Agenda

Speakers:

  • Dr. Thumbi Ndung’u, Africa Health Research Institute
  • Dr. Gabriela Cromhout, University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Adaobi Lisa Olisa, Root to Rise, IAS HIV Vaccine & Cure Advocacy Fellow

Recording / Transcript / Slides / Resources

Avac Event

Community Engagement in USG Global Health MoUs

Following up on a recent webinar, this will be a space to share real-time experiences, strategize, and define collective asks before Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are finalized on December 12.

Avac Event

Influencing the New USG Global Health MoUs and PEPFAR Strategy

We invite you to an urgent and critical webinar focused on the new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) governing US Government (USG) global health investments, including PEPFAR, under the “America First Strategy.” These MoUs are currently under rapid discussion with African Governments.

Organized by COMPASS in collaboration with EANNASO and Data ETC, this webinar is designed to equip African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with the necessary analysis and advocacy strategies.

The goal is to enable CSOs to proactively influence the priorities for the upcoming five years of USG health investments, specifically concerning HIV, primary prevention, and the crucial role of community-led monitoring and delivery.

Featured Experts

  • Emily Bass: The New MoU and its implications. 
  • Brian Honnermann (amfAR): The New MoU and its implications.
  • Nelson Otuoma (NEPHAK-Kenya): Direct experience from national MoU participation.
  • Munyaradzi Chimwara (ACT-Zimbabwe): Community safeguards for inclusion and accountability.

Avac Event

Innovative HIV Prevention and Treatment Keynote and Panel Discussion

An in-depth discussion on lenacapavir, this session will examine its potential to transform HIV prevention on a global scale, looking at the latest clinical evidence, regulatory pathways, and the access barriers that may shape its rollout, especially in low-resource settings. The program will feature a special keynote address followed by a panel discussion with leading experts in HIV prevention and global health, exploring how innovation, policy, and equity intersect in the next frontier of HIV response.

Keynote Session

  • Moupali Das, MD, MPH, Gilead Sciences
  • Keynote Moderator: Dr. Charles B. Holmes, Director, Georgetown University Center for Innovation in Global Health; Distinguished Scholar and Program Director·O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center

Panel Discussion

  • Moderator: Martha Sichone Cameron, PhD Candidate, Global Infectious Disease, Georgetown University
  • Micheal Ighodaro, Executive Director, Global Black Gay Men Connect (GBGMC)
  • Rupa Patel, MD, MPH, Clinical Researcher, Whitman Walker Institute
  • Mitchell Warren, Executive Director, AVAC
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Avac Event

Beyond Borders

Join ISSTDR, IUSTI, the STI & HIV 2025 World Congress, and AVAC for a special webinar spotlighting speakers who were not about to join the congress due to financial and political barriers. Presenters will share their findings, debate their results, and discuss the work still ahead for the STI field. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge research and the people driving it forward.