AVAC’s formal input submitted on the re-competition of the NIAID HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks. The recommendations were informed by the People’s Research Agenda (PRA), a comprehensive framework developed through consultations with over 130 community representatives across 23 countries.
AVAC Input for Recompetition of the NIAID HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks
Supporting RECs/IRBs to Review the Enrolment of Pregnant/Lactating Individuals in HIV Prevention Trials using International Ethical Guidance
Appearing in the journal Research Ethics, this article written by AVACer Breanne Lievense and partners provides ethics recommendations to be included in future research on pregnant and lactating individuals.
Manifestations and Lived Experiences of Structural Racism for Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities Affected by HIV Across the United States
Structural racism shapes the lived experiences of racial and ethnic minority communities through political disempowerment, inequitable access to resources, and intergenerational trauma. This study provides support for the argument that the HIV and COVID-19 epidemics will not be adequately addressed without urgent action on the various ways in which structural racism manifests in the US. Given the troubling trend toward stifling discussions on race and racism, now is the time to accelerate, not subdue, national, state, and local discourse on structural racism and intersectional oppression. Now is time for bold, transformative actions.
The Real-World Impact of Defunding STI Research
The US presidential administration’s funding cuts and policy shifts are reshaping the public health landscape in profound ways. While many of these changes have drawn significant media attention, the impact on sexually transmitted infection research and prevention has remained largely overlooked, though the consequences are dire, writes AVAC’s Alison Footman writes in TheBodyPro.
Global Advocates Welcome the Launch of Merck’s EXPrESSIVE Program
Known as the EXPrESSIVE program, the drug maker Merck has two trials testing a monthly pill for PrEP. Merck is committed to stakeholder engagement, putting global advocates at the forefront of planning for the program. Numerous organizations and advocates commend Merck’s dedication to hearing from the community and shared this statement.
Addressing Transgender Erasure in HIV Clinical Trials
The scorecard for transgender and gender-diverse inclusion
Scorecard indicators reveal a dearth of HIV research responsive to the needs of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) communities. The lack of TGD representation in HIV clinical trials indicates a historical erasure of TGD communities with potential public health consequences. The scorecard might guide future HIV research to be more responsive to the needs of TGD people. Published in the American Journal of Public Health.
STIWatch Quarterly Newsletter
Issue 7: August 2025
As many global health fields reassess their reliance on US government funding for research and development, the STI field—already underfunded and reliant on alternate donors—now faces even greater uncertainty. In this newsletter, we share a new STI resource for advocates and highlight the top issues we’re monitoring as events continue to unfold.
Protect Federal Funding for HIV, TB, and STI Research and Prevention at the National Institutes of Health
AVAC and 627 organizations, institutions, researchers, clinicians, public health advocates and stakeholders submitted a written letter to the Senate HELP Committee urging lawmakers to reject the cuts to NIH funding for HIV, TB, and STI research and highlighting the impact of these cuts on lifesaving innovation and research infrastructure.
AVAC and FAPP Written Statement: US Senate Hearing on Biomedical Research
AVAC and FAPP submitted written testimony for the US Senate Appropriations Subcommittee’s April 30th hearing, “Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation.”
A set of suggested questions for the Senators to consider was also included in hopes of spotlighting key issues around the importance of lifesaving research conducted by the NIH—specifically in the area of HIV—and its critical role in health equity and innovation. We hope that this can be entered into the record for this hearing.
The Role of PEPFAR in HIV Prevention
Protecting Black and Brown Communities Amidst Foreign Aid Cuts
AVAC Senior Program Manager for Policy, John Meade Jr., describes PEPFAR’s historic legacy and strongly argues for its continued importance in the face of attacks by the new US administration. This piece appears in The Broadsheet, the magazine published by the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust.